Local school leaders react to Kasich's education budget

YOUNGSTOWN

Of the 44 school districts in the Mahoning Valley, 25 would see their state funding decrease, while 19 would increase, according to the most-recent state budget figures.

The numbers, however, are likely to change. Gov. John Kasich released his budget this week, but it’s expected to get tweaked before heading to the General Assembly where more changes are expected before passage.

In Mahoning County, Austintown, Boardman, Campbell, Sebring, Struthers and Youngstown would see their funding increase next year while Canfield, Jackson-Milton, Lowellville, Poland, South Range, Springfield, West Branch and Western Reserve would get less.

In Trumbull, Bristol, Champion, Girard, Howland, Hubbard, Lakeview, Liberty, Lordstown, Niles, Weathersfield and Warren would see more funding while Bloomfield-Mesopotamia, Brookfield, Joseph Badger, LaBrae, Maplewood, Mathews, McDonald, Newton Falls and Southington would get less.

In Columbiana, four districts, Columbiana, Crestview, Salem and Wellsville would get increases while the other six — East Liverpool, East Palestine, Leetonia, Lisbon, Southern and United — would see decreases.

Alex Geordan, Canfield superintendent, said there’s been a lot of talk in Columbus about the state wanting to support success and accountability, and to see how districts use the funds appropriately and effectively.

“In Canfield, we have a very high performing school system,” he said. “We’ve been showing success over a period of time. We have a history of it. To me, it does not look like [Kasich is] supporting success at this point.

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, said districts like Poland and Canfield with higher wealth capacity are likely to be upset.

“And they should be,” he said.

Just because a district is considered wealthy, that doesn’t mean voters will easily approve a levy, Schiavoni said.

Read what other local school leaders had to say in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.