Youngstown faces opposition to school levy

Increased revenue is a key component of the district’s financial recovery plan.

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Delores Womack of East Boston Avenue pulled no punches.

She told the city school district’s Financial Planning and Supervision Commission that she intends to organize opposition to a proposed five-year, 9.5-mill tax levy the school district is putting on the Nov. 5 election ballot.

Womack, addressing the commission Thursday as it met to give its stamp of approval to the school board’s tax plan, said she is part of a group that will protest the levy.

“We don’t have any kids in school,” said the former Youngstown State University employee who now works as a nurse.

“Where will you get 9.5 mills?” she asked the commission, pointing out that the city has demolished 400 houses and plans to raze more.

The tax base is shrinking, she said, adding, “I’m not going to pay my part and someone else’s.”

Her suggestions

Womack asked if there have been job audits done on all the administrative positions in the district, a move she said could eliminate any duplication of work and perhaps eliminate some positions.

She also suggested that some effort be made to go after delinquent taxes when properties in the city are sold.

Roger Nehls, commission chairman, said the administrative ranks already have been cut by 18 percent and additional reductions will be forthcoming.

The commission doesn’t have the authority to direct other officials to go after back taxes, although it can make recommendations on that course of action, he added.

Dr. Wendy Webb, superintendent, said the district had an administrative audit done four or five years ago and continues to use that study as a guide.

Treasurer Carolyn Funk noted that the Mahoning County treasurer’s office did go after back taxes in a tax sale of properties several years ago. The city schools realized an additional $1 million in back taxes as a result, she said.

Fiscal emergency

Youngstown was placed in fiscal emergency by the state last November and ran a $15 million budget deficit in the fiscal year ended June 30.

The designation resulted in the appointment of the five-member commission to oversee the district’s financial recovery, and increased revenue is a key component of that plan, Nehls said.

It’s a three-pronged effort involving revenue, spending cuts and careful monitoring of spending, he told Womack.

The school board already has cut 250 jobs and $17 million in spending.

“This district cannot cut itself to solvency at this point,” Nehls said, explaining that additional revenue will be required.

If the levy fails, the deficit will grow, and the contingency plan will be to ask for an even larger tax increase while making even deeper cuts that would likely affect academics, he warned.

gwin@vindy.com