Students working for J-M levy

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L-R Jessica Ripple (16) of Lake Milton, Brianna Vayner (16) of Lake Milton and Morgan Pinney (16) of North Jackson hold signs they made for the levy to be passed on Nov 4th. Sunday October 26, 2008

By Sean Barron

Passage of the renewal levy won’t mean added taxes for residents, the students say.

NORTH JACKSON — For many high school students, it might be a stretch to imagine a school that had limited busing, offered only one foreign language class and had a computer lab that was inaccessible for daily use.

Thanks to the defeat of several school levies and subsequent cuts, that is an everyday reality Jessica Ripple, Morgan Pinney, Brianna Vayner and their fellow students face.

Instead of accepting the situation and hoping for the best, however, the three Jackson-Milton High School/Middle School juniors formed a rather unconventional student group.

“It hurt me to hear people talk negatively about our school. Then I thought, ‘What am I doing to directly change their minds?’” Brianna said, referring to her decision to help form the Jackson-Milton High School Student Levy Committee.

About 20 students belong to the group, which the three say is dedicated to getting the word out about the importance of voting for a five-year, 5.5-mill emergency renewal levy on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. The measure would bring to the district around $985,000 annually for general operating expenses.

Also on the ballot is a five-year 0.9-mill permanent improvement levy slated to generate about $80,200 yearly. Those funds would go toward roof repairs as well as buying textbooks, computers and other needed items, noted John Zinger, district treasurer.

After meeting Sunday at Jackson-Milton Elementary School on Mahoning Avenue, committee members spent much of the day going door to door, strategically posting signs, making phone calls to alumni and others, and mailing letters — all aimed at giving people what they say is factual information about the levy.

Funding cuts also have translated to few, if any, field trips, no librarian and teachers losing their jobs, Morgan pointed out.

Brianna said she and the rest of the committee are aware of the tough economic times many in the community face, and that some people are on fixed incomes. Nevertheless, they say, the renewal levy will not increase their taxes.

“We want people to know that it’s one vote for them, but it’s our future. One vote from them affects us so greatly,” Brianna said, adding that she’s happy with her education, but that levy money is needed to expand classes and encourage more people to come to the district.

The students also said they realize some older people might be reluctant to vote for the levy, partly because they have no direct connection to the schools.

Some also are struggling financially, but passage of the measure will strengthen the district, which often leads to higher property values, they noted.

Others leaning toward a no vote might still be angry about decisions made by members of previous boards of education, but it’s time to put that aside and “start fresh and look at the positives,” Jessica added.

All three said they love their community and plan to attend college but don’t have definitive plans. Jessica said she wants to go to a small school that reminds her of her “tight-knit” high school.

“We’re very welcoming and want new students to feel like a part of us,” she continued.

Jessica, Brianna and Morgan added that they all plan to stay in the community after graduation.