Boardman school board approves renewal levy for November ballot

By Denise Dick

The township is seeking passage of a 2.2-mill safety services levy in November.

BOARDMAN — School district voters will be asked to renew an emergency levy initially passed in 1984.

School board members adopted a resolution at a special meeting Monday to place the emergency, five-year 2.4-mill renewal levy on the Nov. 4 ballot. It would continue to generate $1.9 million annually. The levy first passed in 1984 as a 5.9-mill measure, but because of rising property values, the millage decreased over the years.

It costs the owner of a $100,000 home about $73.50 per year, said Treasurer Richard Santilli. That amount is slightly less for senior citizens who are eligible for a homestead exemption, he said.

It’s not the only levy before Boardman voters this fall.

The township is seeking a five-year, 2.2-mill safety services levy. It would generate about $2 million annually with plans to bring back six laid-off firefighters, three laid-off road department employees and hire between six and 10 police officers if it passes.

Township Trustee Kathy Miller isn’t concerned about the two issues affecting each other.

“[The school levy is] a renewal and I think most people are pretty comfortable with those,” she said. “They’re not asking for more money. I think people like to see that their schools are well-maintained.”

Dr. Robert DeMarco, school board president, said that every time the board places a levy before voters there’s concern for its passage.

Last November, the school board decided to place only two of its three renewals on the ballot because the township was seeking a new 4.1-mill operating levy.

“We didn’t want to overwhelm people,” DeMarco said.

At that time, the township levy failed with the school renewals passing.

The school district placed the third renewal on the March ballot and it also passed.

The school levy on the ballot this fall also is a renewal and won’t cost people more taxes, he said.

Ken Beraduce, board member, agreed, adding that a presidential election year is a good one to seek ballot measures because of high voter turnout.

“I think the people of Boardman are well aware of the financial problems going on in the township and I think they see us as a completely separate entity,” DeMarco said. “I hope the voters approve both of them.”