Struthers school-levy renewal to be on ballot

Staff report

struthers

The Struthers school board voted unanimously Tuesday to put a 5-year, 6.9-mill renewal levy on the May 3 ballot.

“I want to stress it’s just a renewal,” said schools Superintendent Robert Rostan.

There will be no new taxes, he said.

The levy accounts for 30 percent of the district’s annual budget. The other 70 percent comes from the state, said Michael Evanson, district treasurer.

It raises $1,007,510 a year.

The deadline for getting the levy on the ballot for May is Feb. 2.

Board member Robert Noble said the board is asking voters for the same vote of confidence it asked for five years ago. The board asked for the levy then because it had a debt of $1.5 million and was in fiscal emergency, he said.

Board president Dennis Spisak said he believes the board has fulfilled its promise to the public to be fiscally responsible.

He said the board made cutbacks, leaving several positions unfilled to try to save money.

Board members also said they want to stress that the renewal levy will mean no new taxes.

Evanson said district officials are not taking for granted that the levy will pass.

“In today’s economy, we’re just concerned,” he said.