Community reacts to failed school levy

Voters in Canfield approved a 1.6-mill, emergency five-year renewal levy on Tuesday, with 60 percent voting for the measure.

However, only 41 percent voted for a 6.8-mill additional operating levy, resulting in the failure of the effort.

The Canfield Board of Education only moved to place the renewal levy on the Aug. 2 special election ballot in case it failed Tuesday. Board members did not vote to get the additional levy back in front of voters in August.

In March, the Canfield school board announced phase two of cuts totaling $1.3 million should the May levy fail.

Among the cuts were reductions of 12 teachers and 15 classified staff, state minimum busing with a half-mile between bus stops for kindergartners through eighth-graders and pay-to-participate for extracurricular activities.

On Wednesday, the day after the levy’s failure, several Canfield residents offered their reactions:

“It is disappointing that it wasn’t supported. I understand that these are difficult times, but we still need to figure out ways to support the children of Canfield. It is their future.”

Beth Scheetz

“It is a very sad day for Canfield Schools and all the students in Canfield Schools. I hope and pray that with the next round of cuts, the community will really understand how badly we needed this levy to pass. I am very sad and I hoped people would see how serious the situation is. It is unconstitutional to put it on taxpayers. ”

Micky Rosko

“I am sad that it did not pass. This is about our kids and our schools. I really can’t believe it did not pass. Thank goodness the renewal passed. Some people’s reasoning for not voting for it was completely unfair and it just hurts the kids.”

Anonymous