Girard school district asking residents to renew school levy on May 7

April 14, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

By danny restivo

girard

The school district is asking city residents to renew a 5-year, 3.9-mill operating levy May 7.

Superintendent David Cappuzzello said the levy is spread throughout the district’s budget to help the school cover teacher salaries, utility costs, classroom technology and teaching aids for students.

“This levy goes into everything that makes the school run,” said Cappuzzello. “This levy ensures that we give our kids the best possible chance to be successful.”

The levy first was approved in 1988, and has been renewed every five years since. The levy generates $534,534 every year and costs the owner of a $100,000 home $136.50 every year.

Cappuzzello said the levy supports the district’s four schools situated on two campuses. The junior high and senior high schools are on Shannon Road, while the intermediate and elementary campus is on Prospect Street.

The levy supports about 1,730 students and 182 district employees.

Mark Bello, district treasurer, said the average cost for a teacher’s salary in the district is $ 52,170 a year, while the average administrator’s salary is $72,155 a year.

The school board approved a contract with teachers and nonteaching employees in August.

Under the three-year contract, teachers and school employees agreed to a zero percent pay increase for the upcoming year, with a 1 percent pay increase the following two years.

The new contract states that a first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree will make $30,221 a year, while at the top of the pay scale, a teacher with 27 years and a master’s degree can make $73,678 a year.

According to the contract, the insurance premium for an employee with a family would range from $1,099.64 to $1,382.05 a month, depending upon the plan selected. A single- employee rate would range from $422.44 to $531.36 monthly.

Employees hired prior to 2008 would pay 5 percent of the premium, and those hired after 2008 would pay 10 percent. The district would cover the remainder, the contract said.