Defeat of S. Range school levy means opponents must deliver

Rejection of the 4.9-mill addi- tional operating levy for the South Range schools in Tuesday’s primary election makes clear that the board of education and Superintendent Dennis Dunham have some major fence-mending to perform if they are to win over an obviously distrustful electorate. By the same token, opponents of the levy, led by a group called ACT (Accountability, Clarity and Transparency), have a responsibility to do more than just say no because their campaign against the tax was built on specific goals.

In the months leading up to the election, a pamphlet was published that contained a number of demands, including a performance audit of the South Range schools by the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office, a “comprehensive and detailed” five-year plan for the system, and the district’s participation in Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel’s Online Checkbook program.

The performance audit, which we have long supported because taxpayers get an objective report on how their money is being spent, is not free. The state auditor’s office performs regular audits of public entities at no cost to them, but local entities must pay for a performance audit.

Given that the South Range School District does not have the money for such an endeavor — voter rejection of the levy means that major spending cuts are in the offing — we believe ACT should step up to the plate. Why? Because the group has some powerful financial backers.

During the campaign, ACT was assisted by Americans For Prosperity, a national conservative advocacy and anti-tax organization funded by billionaires Charles and David Koch. The Koch money went to set up two phone banks and a mailing for ACT Now for South Range Schools.

On Tuesday night, after the complete but unofficial vote totals were announced by the Mahoning County Board of Elections — 1,254 votes against the levy, 816 for — Baylor Myers, deputy state director for Americans For Prosperity in Ohio, had this to say:

“We are pleased to see voters reject this levy. Raising taxes should always be a last resort. Now it is up to the South Range school board to increase transparency and fiscal responsibility.”

The anti-tax rhetoric obviously struck a chord with voters in Beaver and Green townships, which make up the school district. And the call for increased transparency and fiscal responsibility are surefire winners when it comes to rallying taxpayers against governments and school systems.

State Treasurer Mandel’s push to have every local government and school district in Ohio follow in the state’s footsteps and place their checkbooks on a website for all to see is gaining traction because the public is demanding such transparency.

South Range will be joining the effort.

Cost of the audit

But, with the performance audit, the price tag is a major hurdle for the the school district. Thus, ACT can demonstrate that it is sincere about helping the system gets its financial house in order by raising the money to meet the cost of the audit.

Meanwhile, the school board would do well to revisit the appointment of Amy White to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Bruce Zinz. Although board President Ralph Wince admitted that he and his colleagues did not follow their own policies in initially appointing White — the application process was redone — they have not rescinded the original action.

Thus, a lawsuit has been filed by a district resident challenging White’s appointment .

The Vindicator’s lawyer, David Marburger, an expert on Ohio’s open meetings and public records laws, has said the board acted illegally in its original vote and, therefore, must formally rescind that action.

This issue became a rallying cry for opponents of the school levy, and Tuesday’s vote showed it resonated with the public.