Austintown levy forum at middle school tonight

AUSTINTOWN — Township residents are invited to attend an open forum to discuss a proposed bond issue.

The Austintown Board of Education will be on hand at 6:30 tonight at the middle school cafeteria to listen to public opinion and comment on a proposed 2.9-mill bond levy to be placed on the ballot this fall.

The levy would help fund the district’s share of a $50 million facility expansion project for two new school buildings. If passed, the state would fund 47 percent of the cost and the district would be responsible for the remaining 53 percent, about $26 million.

The project would fund two new buildings for kindergarten through grade five. The new buildings would be on the site of the current Frank Ohl Intermediate and Watson Elementary schools.

Superintendent Vincent Colaluca said it would not be in the district’s best interest to let an opportunity for a “buy one, get one free” deal with the state slip away.