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Boardman schools levy committee reports progress
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
BOARDMAN
The levy committee has been busy, according to a status report presented to the board of education at its Monday meeting.
The board is asking taxpayers to approve a 3.9 mill, three-year emergency levy that would generate about $3.1 million annually.
The committee created an informational flier and distributed it to the Boardman schools and at various events, said Vickie Davis, co-chairwoman.
They’ve also solicited the support of the Parent Teacher Association.
“Their response, enthusiasm and can-do attitude has been absolutely amazing,” Davis said. “You have an amazing PTA. We can’t do this without them.”
The committee also is practicing for a flash-mob event. A flash mob typically is made up of a group of people who assemble suddenly, perform an act for a brief time, then disperse.
The flash-mob practice was “so addictive that the volleyball team actually stopped their practice and joined in,” Davis said.
The committee also is noting a good response to its social-media efforts, she said.
The levy website has had 4,000 hits, and its Facebook page has close to 600 “likes.” Those who share the page are entered for a chance to win a pizza and a pepperoni roll, Davis said, which is helping.
In the past two years, the district has lost $2.66 million in personal property-tax money and state funding. Without the levy, the board projects a deficit of more than $3.5 million by the end of 2015.
Voters last approved a new school levy in 2003.
With this levy request, the cost for a home valued at $100,000 would be $119.44 a year or 33 cents a day, the school district treasurer has said.
Also at the meeting, the board accepted more than $9,525 in monetary and in-kind donations from businesses and community members. The donations are to be used for various projects such as a science lab at Stadium Drive Elementary School and a character education/anti-bullying program, as well as the purchase of supplies and equipment.