Youngstown school board will seek 9.5-mill levy in fall

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Board of Education is expected to approve a proposal tonight asking voters to OK a 9.5-mill tax levy to help erase a $15 million budget deficit.

That millage will generate about $4.5 million a year, not enough to eliminate the red ink.

Dr. Wendy Webb, superintendent, said further cuts in spending will be required, and she is appointing a special committee involving people from outside the district to look at where reductions can be made.

Youngstown already has cut 250 jobs and reduced spending by $17 million a year over the last two years.

Webb said her plan is to couple further cuts with the new tax revenue to balance the budget by 2012. She said she hopes to avoid cutting any academic programs.

For the complete story, see Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.