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Poland board opposes voucher expansion
POLAND
The board of education approved a resolution Monday opposing pending state legislation that would expand the use of vouchers, joining many other area school boards that already have approved similar measures.
Ohio House Bill 136 would, among other things, allow students to move from public school districts without regard to the home district’s academic designation. Under the new law, a family in Ohio with an annual income of up to $95,000 could qualify for a voucher.
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Matt Huffman, of Lima, is expected to have a news conference this week announcing changes in the bill.
Between 200 and 300 school districts statewide have approved motions protesting H.B. 136, said Superintendent Robert Zorn.
“Some people [locally] are aware of it, and they are concerned,” he said.
In other business, the board approved Jeff and Tammy Sabrin to lead the Citizens Committee to Pass the School Levy. The committee will advocate for passage of an emergency operating levy that will generate $1,448,561 annually for five years.
The levy will appear before voters in March.
The Mahoning County Auditor’s office has certified the millage at 3.8 mills, but the schools will pay off a 0.8-mill bond issue in 2012. If the March emergency levy is approved, the net effect to taxpayers is a 3-mill increase, which would cost the owner of a house valued at $100,000 about $105 annually.
Also, the superintendent recognized board members David Bennett, Robert Shovlin and Elinor Zedaker for serving their terms. Bennett did not run for re-election, while Shovlin and Zedaker ran and won. They and new board member James Lavorini will be sworn in Jan. 9.