Schools nix levy this year
By Jeff Gallatin
Bay Village
Published July 8, 2009

School district officials are now looking to 2010 as the probable time for placing a new operating levy on the ballot instead of November of  this year.

After discussing the issue at a June 30 special Board of Education meeting to discuss a possible levy, district officials opted not to pass any legislation which would be the prelude to placing an operating levy on the November ballot. To get a possible levy ready, the school board will have to set an amount and pass related legislation by late August in order to get any proposal to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections in time for review by that body and placement on the ballot. District officials had said prior to the meeting, that they should pass preliminary legislation at the special meeting, since the board is only currently scheduled to meet once each in July and August.

In deciding not to take any action, district officials cited the tight economy as well as a larger than expected carryover of more than $5.8 million from the 2008-09 school year into the 2009-10 school financial year, which began July 1.

“Right now, we’d have a hard time convincing people of the need to pass a levy when we have a carryover like that,” said school board member Amy Huntley, an accountant. “It’s very tough for people financially right now.”

Huntley was the first board member to indicate preference for waiting to put the levy on the ballot next year instead of trying in November in this year as district officials have been tentatively planning for the last several months. In discussing her concerns about a levy later this year, she said district residents historically have passed levies when there is a clear need shown for the funds.

“People will pass the levy when there is more of a sense of urgency for the money,” she said. “Next year, we will be able to show a stronger sense of urgency for needing the funds.”

City resident and senior citizen Michael O’Boyle also spoke several times at the meeting urging the district to not place any levy on the ballot this year.

“You’ll have a hard time getting a senior citizen or other people on fixed incomes to support something like that,” he said. “People simply don’t have the money for that.”

O’Boyle, who scrutinizes both the city municipal and school district budgets and expenses, also made a series of suggestions to the school board and district officials about cutting costs. When he advocated seeking furloughs and pay cuts for district employees, board and district administration members told them they are prohibited by law from discussing or trying to act on anything like those actions unless it is proposed during formal budget negotiations.

Board Vice President Bill Selong said he came into the meeting preferring to try and seek a smaller amount on any levy proposal, such as four mils. He and other board members noted that seeking and passing a smaller amount would make the district more financially secure as opposed to waiting a year and trying to pass a larger levy. However, he said the district should not go into a levy campaign later this year unless they were ready to do so.

“We can’t convince the public on a levy campaign unless we’re sure of it ourselves,” he said. “We have to go into the campaign ready to go.”

Carol Pancoast said she’s not sure city residents will give the district any credit for waiting a year before seeking the levy.

Board President Mike Boeckman said he had come to the meeting thinking they would begin the process of preparing for a levy attempt later in the year. However, the discussion and information about the carryover led the board in another direction, he said.

Superintendent Clint Keener said he could see both sides of the issue, noting the district is very aware of financial conditions not only in the district, but around the entire country.

He said the larger carryover is indicative of the work district officials do in trying to save money in different areas.

“It’s an ongoing process with the district,” he said. “We’re always looking.”

He said district employees also contribute to the process by working well with the district in contract negotiations. Having lower costs help give the district it’s consistently high rankings in academic and program rankings throughout the region and country.

Huntley said work on a levy for next year needs to begin now.

“We need to let people know what will be involved and what it will mean for the district,” she said.

Board members left room for possible ballot placement if they receive better than expected financial news from the state, but added they aren’t expecting good news from the state.

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