Liberty meets its responsibilities

Liberty meets its responsibilities

A recent Vindicator edit- orial commenting on the newly proposed standards in education provided an appreciated focus on education, especially as the May ballot approaches.

While national standards are formed in Washington, the Ohio Charter still gives education local control and privilege to each community. The Liberty Students First Committee (formerly Building A Future Committee) thinks that task is one of the most important aspects of holding a community together in good times or hard times. The responsibility of educating our children falls on us.

Since the construction of Liberty’s high school in the late ’90s, the Liberty Board of Education experienced the election of more than 15 different community members. It has been open and responsive to all Liberty residents in many instances too numerous to name here. The board has done so, despite ill-conceived state funding policy. The board has done so, despite little economic growth in the township until recently. While other school districts in our state have experienced boom and bust, our schools achieved effective and excellent ratings. Continued school/community partnership will get us to the next level. It’s our privilege, it’s our responsibility, it’s our job.

In order to maintain these achievements and progress, the Liberty Board of Education has placed a 7.4-mill renewal levy on the May 4 ballot. Originally passed by Liberty voters in 2005, this renewal is a zero increase in property taxes for our schools, yet allows present programs and operations to continue with no increases in spending, in addition to a vigilant, community-friendly school board welcoming help and encouraging participation always.

We ask Liberty residents to vote yes on this renewal levy. In our troubled economy, how many times will we get a chance to exercise a privilege, or accept a responsibility, yet, it won’t cost an extra dime?

NICK FERRARO, chairman

FRANK GORSUCH, treasurer

Liberty Students First Committee

Liberty Township