The-News-Leader.com - Voters approve schools operating levy

Photo By April Helms - Turnout was steady throughout the day Nov. 8, as poll worker Angela A. Barnett, left, assisted Jeanette Molnar at the Macedonia Family Recreation Center.

by Jeff Saunders | Reporter

Nordonia Hills — After five tries in less than two years, the school district has convinced voters to approve a new levy.

According to the Summit County Board of Elections, Issue 18, a 6-mill continuing operating levy, passed by a final but unofficial count of 8,088 to 6,340 votes.

“Thank you to the community for supporting your schools,” said School Board President Doug Masteller. “I truly believe it was the right choice for the good health of the Nordonia community.”

Without the levy, the district had said it faced state receivership.

“A great big thank you,” said School Board member Betty Klingenberg. “We will continue to offer the quality of education we have offered.”

“Thanks on behalf of the kids of the Nordonia schools,” said Interim Superintendent Joe Clark. “We’re not out of the woods, but maybe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”

District officials say that with the levy’s passage, they will not need to make about $1 million in budget cuts for the remainder of the year. Those cuts would have included laying off 20 teachers and cutting four more to part-time hours, and cutting hours for 31 support staffers. This would have reduced the district to state minimum requirements, cut at least an hour cut from the elementary school day, to 5 1/2 hours, and the high school day from seven to six hours.

“I want to thank our community members for finally stepping up and supporting our schools,” said Board member Greg Harris.

“This happened a little late, but at least we passed our levy in time to avoid a state takeover of our schools. Hopefully the State of Ohio will decide in the near future to do something about school funding other than just continue to put more and more of the burden on our local taxpayers,” Harris said.

The cuts would have been added to others, including busing to state minimum standards — no busing for high school students and for students in lower grades living within two miles of their schools — and about $3.9 million in cuts last spring, which included losing 53 positions — 47 through layoffs and six others through attrition — with 37 of them teachers.

District officials also say that the passage of the levy means that the district will likely hold off a state takeover of the district. At least through 2012.

“There is ongoing financial pressure on public education in Ohio,” said Masteller, in a statement to voters. “And so the passage of this levy does not provide any opportunity for the district to relax. We will do our best to justify your support. by continuing to aggressively manage costs while providing an excellent education to all the students of Nordonia.”

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.comPhone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169

2.	Posted by tapped_out November 9, 2011
	I agree with Marc - This better be a wake-up call. I am disappointed in the implication in the article that this will only delay State Takeover for 1 year and we will be back at the polls next year for another levy. Perhaps instead of not making the $1M in cuts this year, you make them anyway and stretch the dollars you have just been granted. Another thing I am sadly disappointed about is all those in the community whining that we all have to sacrifice so little Johnny or Suzy can continue to get all the extras with a basic education. What is stopping those of you so supportive and obviously with means to write a check. I am SURE the school district takes donations! And thank goodness Mr. Wayne is leaving. Always talking about listening to the community. Yea, right! I personally emailed him suggestions and never even had the courtesy of a reply "no thank you". That is listening? Good luck, when the housing market comes back, we are out of here!!!!