Poland board to have levy forum Sept. 26

POLAND — The school board has announced a public forum next week about a five-year, 5.9-mill emergency operating levy that will appear on the November ballot.

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Poland Seminary High School auditorium and Joel Roscoe of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators will be among the presenters. Roscoe has reviewed Poland’s finances and will speak about his findings during the forum.

“The public has been clamoring for an independent review and here it is,” said board President Dr. Larry Dinopoulos.

If approved, the levy is expected to generate about $2.2 million annually and would cost the owner of $100,000-valued home about $180 annually.

The board also reviewed considerations for levy passage and failure.

If the levy is approved, the board is considering reinstating K-4 elementary physical education and music specialists, elementary guidance personnel and K-12 academic-proficiency tutors. Other considerations are to keep all district buildings open, keep all-day kindergarten and high-school electives and eliminate or adjust pay-to-participate fees.

If the levy fails, the board is considering cutting all extracurricular and athletic activities, re-visiting a study to close a district building and keep all current cuts in place. The board also would consider re-submitting a levy and open enrollment.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com