Support your local schools

Support your local schools

There was a day when the renewal of a school levy was taken for granted, but no longer. In these days of tighter money and economic uncertainty, even a renewal gives some residents pause.

And while we understand the reluctance of some voters to approve additional and even renewal tax issues for schools, we urge voters to support their most important local resource, their school district

Obviously, investing in schools shows a commitment to the next generation. But it is also an investment that shores up real estate values throughout the community.

And, as we have said before, every school tax issue is placed on the ballot by the elected members of the school board. Voters elect people to the school board expecting them to protect everyone’s best interest. They invest considerable time and energy in doing their jobs, and none of them returns lightly to the electorate with a request for passage of a tax levy.

Unless a voter has specific knowledge that trumps that of his elected representative or is faced with personal circumstances that make it impossible to support a levy, a voter ought to be willing to give the elected board the tools it needs to support an effective school district.

Perhaps reflecting the economic and political realities of the day there are very few requests for additional school funding in Mahoning and Trumbull counties this election. We addressed the Youngstown City School District levy in a separate editorial last Saturday.

The following is a list of other school levies appearing in the two counties on Nov. 6. We recommend their passage by the voters.

Mahoning County

Boardman Schools: A 1.8-mill, 3-year renewal levy for current expenses to raise $1,495,862 annually.

Boardman Schools: A 5.9-mill, 5-year renewal levy for current expenses to raise $4,971,394 annually.

Jackson-Milton Schools: A 5.6-mill, 5-year renewal levy for emergency expenses to raise $988,485 annually.

Poland Schools: A 1-mill, 5-year replacement levy for permanent improvements to raise $393,754 annually.

Springfield Schools: A 4.3-mill, 28-year bond issue to raise $10,657,543 for the local share of school construction; a 0.5-mill, 23-year additional levy to maintain the facilities to raise $69,341 annually; and a 2-mill, 28-year bond issue to raise $4,602,457 to renovate, remodel, furnish and improve school buildings and facilities.

Trumbull County

Joseph Badger Schools: 3.7-mill, 5-year renewal that will raise $425,379 for emergency needs of the district.

Brookfield Schools: A 28-year bond issue to raise $11,310,732 for school construction; a 0.5-mill, 23-year additional levy to maintain the facilities to raise $65,122 annually; and a 1.6-mill, 28-year bond issue to raise $3.5 million to improve buildings and facilities.

Howland Schools: A 4.6-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide for emergency requirements of the school district to raise $3,050,000 annually.

Howland Schools: A 3.1-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district to raise $2 million annually.

Lakeview Schools: A 2.1-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school to raise $613,713 annually.

Lordstown Schools: A 5-mill, continuing levy for general permanent improvements to raise $535,333 annually.

Mathews Schools: 2-mill, 5-year renewal for renovating, improving, remodeling, constructing, adding to, furnishing and equipping school facilities and sites.

McDonald Schools: A 3.7-mill, 5-year renewal levy to avoid an operating deficit, to raise $200,147 annually.

Niles Schools: A 4.6-mill, 5-year renewal levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the school district to raise $1.3 million annually.

Southington Schools: 2-mills, 5-year renewal for permanent improvements for school buildings and sites.

Southington Schools: A 3.1-mill, 3-year renewal that will raise $200,133 annually for emergency needs of the school district.