Hundreds gather to support schools

The levy would bring to the district $4.5 million to
$5 million each year.

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — After high school, Annie Terry’s daughter Joi went to Central State University near Xenia, on a full academic scholarship, held a 4.0 grade point average there and landed a fulfilling job at Boeing in Seattle.

The groundwork for much of Joi’s success was the education she received through the Youngstown city schools before graduating from The Rayen School in 2002, her mother said.

So Terry, of Youngstown, was one of a few hundred teachers, parents, pupils and others who turned out for a rally Saturday in support of the schools. Garnering support for a five-year, 9.5-mill levy on the Nov. 6 election ballot was a primary theme at the event on Central Square.

“I believe in supporting our city and schools,” Terry said. “We need to do all we can to convince others to vote for the levy.”

Before the noon gathering, school officials spent three hours canvassing city neighborhoods surrounding several schools. They went door to door and talked to people about the schools and the levy.

During the grass-roots effort, many residents wanted to know more about programs in the schools, how money is being spent and the latest information on school construction projects, among other things.

Many homeowners gave permission to place signs in their yards supporting the levy, Superintendent Wendy Webb noted.

The levy would generate between $4.5 million and $5 million annually to help erase a $15 million deficit the district is facing.

The superintendent pointed out that it’s been roughly 20 years since the last school levy was passed in the city. Investing in kids, moving the district forward and increasing property values are a few reasons people should vote for the levy, she said.

“Better schools means a better community; it’s that simple,” she said, adding that the graduation rate in the district increased from about 49 percent a few years ago to just over 71 percent.

The crowd was filled with people wearing green T-shirts and buttons with messages urging support of the schools. Among those who offered remarks were school board members Jacqueline Taylor and Shelley Murray; former schools Superintendent Benjamin McGee; M. Mike McNair, the district’s spokesman; Annie Gillam, wife of Councilman Artis Gillam, D-1st; and the Rev. Scott Signor of New Beginning Assembly of God in Youngstown.

Calling support of the levy “a moral obligation,” the Rev. Mr. Signor said it’s time for everyone to come together to do what’s in the best interest of children. Youngstown is seeing positive momentum, which needs to continue, he continued.

“There are awesome things going on in the city and we need to keep it going in that direction. People, get out and vote,” Mr. Signor added.

The rally also featured performances by the Chaney and East high school bands. The Orioles, a Youngstown-based quartet, performed a song about the levy that was a parody of the “Banana Boat Song” by Harry Belafonte.