Schools

City Council Supports School Levy -- This Time, with No Controversy

Vote is 7-0 in favor of 6-mill renewal

City Council has come out in unanimous support of Issue 14, the Strongsville School District's on the March ballot.

The vote marked a turnaround from , when one councilman voted against supporting a previous school levy and another spoke against it.

Issue 14 is a renewal of an existing levy that, if approved, would run for five years.

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In November, the school district sought to renew the levy for a continuing period, meaning it would never expire.

That spelled part of the difference for Councilman at large Duke Southworth, who changed his former "no" vote to a "yes" Tuesday night.

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"It's an act of good faith," Southworth said.

He said he met with school officials last week and was heartened to hear they were planning to a review a policy of not cablecasting resident comments prior to an election. He said school Treasurer Bill Parkinson also promised to get a cost estimate on a performance audit.

Both were also sticking points for Southworth in supporting the district.

"I'm hoping it's a new era," he said.

In October, former Ward 3 Councilman Mark Roth also spoke against the levy, questioning the continuing nature.

Issue 14 would not raise taxes. It generates about $7.5 million a year, which is about 10 percent of the district's operating budget.

If it is not renewed this year, drastic cuts to busing, extracurriculars, the gifted program and food service are expected, school officials said.

Mayor Tom Perciak, who says a strong city depends on healthy schools, gave a hearty endorsement of the levy.

"I ask all the residents of the city to endorse education," Perciak said. "We can't afford not to pass the levy."

 


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