Canfield voters greet 4.9-mill school levy with support, suspicion

By Christine keeling

ckeeling@vindy.com

canfield

School cuts create support and suspicion.

The Canfield Local School District eliminated staff, curriculum and transportation services after voters twice rejected a 6.8-mill operating levy. Those changes are allowing the district to present a lower 4.9-mill levy to voters in November, as well as giving residents a reason for the way they plan to vote.

Sharon Smith has lived in Canfield for nine years, and plans to support the district’s levy because she feels education is important for children.

“Children need to be able to go as far as they can,” she said

And although, Joanne Roberts’ youngest son graduated from the district 20 years ago, she still believes the levy is worth passing.

“It’s a good school,” said Roberts. “We hate to have the school cut back anything for the students.”

She and her husband, Thomas, have lived in Canfield for almost 46 years and raised three kids in the community.

The district, she said, made cutbacks.

After a 6.8-mill operating levy failed in November 2010 and May 2011, the district slashed its budget by $3.6 million. Personnel cuts comprised $1.2 million of the savings, while enacting pay to participate in sports and academic clubs, eliminating high school busing and cutting classified personnel saved $548,500. Contract concessions by the district’s unions will total $1.9 million over three years.

Pattie Kesner, the district’s treasurer said the district lost $1.2 million in state aid, this year, and is projected to lose approximately $83,000 in annual revenue from unvoted millage due to the reevaluation of property values.

In the district, total property values fell 3 percent.

Joe Conroy has three students in the district, but wonders if the district’s money-saving choices were made to inconvenience parents, so they would have to support the levy.

“If it doesn’t pass,” said Conroy. “I say that’s just how I am going to have to live, I’ll make it.”

He is, however, concerned, that pay-to-participate in sports will lessen the district’s pool of athletic talent.

Lynda West, who is a 1988 Canfield High School graduate, stayed in the community because of the schools, but won’t support the levy because she lacks trust in the administration.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.