Board to put levy on ballot

By Alison Kemp

AUSTINTOWN — There will be no open enrollment in the school district for the 2008-09 school year.

Board of education members decided to remove open enrollment from Tuesday night’s agenda.

Board President Dr. David Ritchie said a levy will be appearing on this fall’s ballot instead of open enrollment. The board did not have the amount of the levy available at the meeting.

“If it doesn’t pass, we’ll probably be looking at open enrollment” for the 2009-10 school year, Ritchie said.

Board member Richard Zimmermann said the panel decided to not vote on open enrollment because Austintown citizens said they would support a levy if open enrollment did not occur.

Open enrollment was considered by the school board because of a lack of state funding. The school district expects a $4.9 million deficit by the end of the 2008-09 school year.

The school board also handled these matters:

UApproved the opportunity for the district treasurer and board president to advertise for bids for the building and improvement of concession stands. The organization Falcon Forward is donating all necessary funds for this project.

UAnnounced that radios will be installed on all school buses for the 2008-09 school year at no cost to the district. The radios will provide messages promoting bus safety along with music, a global positioning system, interior and exterior speakers, and buttons that call 911.

UApproved start and end times for next school year. Fitch High School and Frank Ohl Intermediate will begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 2:20 p.m. Austintown Middle School will begin at 8:15 a.m. and end at 3:05 p.m. The K-3 buildings will begin at 8:50 a.m. and end at 3:40 p.m.

URecalled 19 bus drivers, two mechanics and one teacher whose contracts were suspended at last month’s meeting.

After the meeting ended, Superintendent Doug Heuer said he is looking for community organizations to sponsor or provide free and reduced lunch services in the summer to the 1,700 pupils in the school district who qualify for the program.

The board will have a work session at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Austintown Middle School to discuss staffing and financial plans and math and science programs.

akemp@vindy.com