Tuesday, January 24, 2012
POLAND
Several parents asked the board of education Monday if all-day kindergarten would be cut back to half-day if voters do not approve an additional levy in March.
“It’s one of the last things we would consider,” said board president Dr. Larry Dinopoulos.
Michelle Ray asked about the potential cut and questioned the timing of kindergarten registration days during the first week of March, with a levy vote March 6. Ray said if all-day kindergarten was cut, then she would rather enroll her child in a full-day program at Holy Family or Struthers, which offers limited open enrollment.
On March 6, voters will decide a 3.8-mill, five-year additional emergency operating levy that would generate $1,448,561 annually. At the same time, a 0.8-mill bond issue will be paid off by the school, so if the new levy is approved, the net effect to taxpayers is a 3-mill increase. The annual cost of that 3-mill increase would be $105 on a house valued at $100,000.
Superintendent Robert Zorn said dates were recommended by the Mahoning County Board of Education because it is doing an ad campaign for kindergarten registration county-wide the first week in March.
The board did not offer a definite answer about cutting kindergarten to half a day should the levy be voted down.
“Our game plan is to continue programs at their current level,” said Zorn, who noted that all-day kindergarten was once mandated by the state, which was supposed to help fund it. The state did not offer funding aid and later removed the all-day kindergarten requirement, he said.
Julie Liddle expressed frustration at the board’s communication about the levy.
“A levy is up on March 6. If it fails, what is going to be cut? ... There’s six weeks until the levy and no information? I’m looking for a little guidance. Saying we’ll have a large meeting after the levy — that doesn’t really cut it for me,” she said.
The board decided unanimously that it would not create a “shopping list” of what could be cut or added, pending the levy vote, because it did not want to appear to be threatening voters nor did it want voters to disregard the levy by picking and choosing services.
Zorn has given the board a prioritized list of requests from the principals, if the levy is approved. The elementary principals’ top item is to have a physical-education specialist who would rotate among the three K-4 buildings. A Jan. 14 Vindicator article incorrectly said a part-time physical-education specialist is in the K-4 buildings.
In those K-4 buildings, physical education is taught by classroom teachers, as is art and music. A part-time physical-education specialist is in McKinley Elementary, which houses grades five and six.
The bulk of those requests, however, and recommendations for cuts have not been released. Board member Elinor Zedaker said she agreed with the board’s decision not to release a list but said it could cause a backlash.
“I don’t know how we can walk this fine line without falling in the swamp,” she said.
The board will meet again Feb. 13 for a work session at the Poland Seminary High School library.