Board of Education Green Lights Levy Proposal
School board asks voters to approve the levy in May.
Updated Jan. 30, 4:43 p.m.
In May, voters will decide whether or not to pass a five-year, 3-mill permanent improvement levy for the Cuyahoga Falls City School district.
The Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education voted Monday to put the issue on the ballot.
If approved, the levy would generate $11.1 million in revenue and cost homeowners $91.88 per year for every $100,000 in valuation, according to Falls schools treasurer David Hoskin.
Safety and technology upgrades would be added to the district this summer if the levy passes, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.
The issue would also cover necessary building maintenance and repairs.
The Board also voted to hire Right Brain Design Group to handle the district's public relations initiatives and marketing strategies.
However, the Cuyahoga Falls Schools Levy Committee will still be responsible for promoting and building awareness around the May levy.
Will you vote for or against the upcoming levy? Tell us in the comments.
Terry
6:52 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
2 NO votes from my house. My monthly COLA increase is gone with a health insurance premium increase, a Warner Cable increase, a previous levy increase on my property tax and the list goes on. I can't ask the voters to help with my bills. I have to ADJUST and hope for the best.
Edward Bardoe
7:53 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
more money for $100,000 per year teachers and even higher paid administrators. With no accountability for their poor results
Kellie Patterson
11:21 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Actually Edward, this money cannot be used toward employee wages or benefits. By law, PI levy proceeds can only be used for inanimate objects. Building repairs, safety upgrades, computers, books, buses, etc.
Results accountability has been addressed through the Ohio Legislature. We can finally begin to assess the impact our educators have on student progress and move forward with best practices. You, as a voter, will be able to decide if we are meeting your standards, and hold us accountable for those results.
Lastly, we do not employ a single teacher that makes $100,000. Not even close...
Check out www.Buckeyeinstitute.com if you would like specific or general teacher pay data. Some of the information may surprise you.
Dave
9:11 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
2 YES votes from my house. For technology and safety upgrades? I don't even have kids in the CF schools, but I think I can swing $7.50 a month so the children will be safer and better educated. Everyone's bills are increasing, I got a raise this year only to see my paycheck decrease from the increase in the social security tax and an increase in my health care premiums, but I will always vote YES for a school levy.
Betsy
9:45 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
2 no votes from this house!!!!!
Miranda Terry
1:22 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I have one child at Bolich and one to start kindergarten next year at Richardson. I will support this levy for the future safety of my kids and their classmates plus technology. But I want to know the future plans for this school district. When are schools going to have new books? When are we going to start looking at the obvious need for new schools? My son plays basketball and we have recently played city's nearby that have brand new schools. These aren't rich Hudson or Aurora cities. Ravenna, Barberton, Wadsworth and not to mention Akrons numerous new schools. Our kids deserve better if we want better futures for them. I want to know where the past money has been spent on the schools/students. How can we as parents know this and get more involved?
Earl Elevant
3:57 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
So move to Hudson or Aurora where people can afford to throw money at the schools.
Can't afford to? We can't afford to pay for your kids here. Welcome to the crowd.
Kellie Patterson
11:32 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Miranda- All district finance information is available to the public through the Freedom of Information Act and Ohio's Public Records Act. Please consider contacting the district superintendent, Dr. Todd Nichols at 330-926-3800, or, via e-mail, cf_nichols@cfalls.org and express your interest in getting involved. He will be more than happy to assist you in serving the district in a capacity that suits your interests as well as directing you to the proper employee's for the financial data you're interested in seeing.
Adam C. Miller
1:26 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
So why don't the parents of kids in the district pay a little more $$$?
Why do us childless couples have to pick up the tab...
Kellie Patterson
2:46 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Because Adam, when I was childless, I picked up the tab for you ;)
Adam C. Miller
6:24 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
My kids will be going to private schools lol
riverrat
2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Let the parents pay. It isn't fair to saddle homeowners with this burden.
What if only property owners were allowed to vote on the issue that only affects THEIR taxes.
Whatever happened to the Ohio Lottery paying for all Ohio schools?
Earl Elevant
3:51 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Absolutely. There's no reason these parents who want the best for their kids shouldn't be writing checks to the schools.
Don't expect us to pay for your kids.
Are you going to help me make my mortgage payment?
Kellie Patterson
11:38 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Ohio Lottery was never intended to pay for ALL schools. It was intended to supplement local tax dollars. Unfortunately state lawmakers, NOT the local school boards, allowed legislation to pass that permitted lottery proceeds to supplant state dollars to school districts, rather than supplement them.
To explain that in plain English. The state budgets our state allocation, then removes an amount that is equal to that years lottery proceeds.It's never in addition to state funding, always in place of state funding.
Adam C. Miller
1:26 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
My thoughts exactly!
John Vidmar
2:25 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
No get the Portage Crossing up and running. Get taxes from there.
Adam C. Miller
1:27 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
^ BOOM ^
David
3:00 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Its so sad that people are so selfish. I will support this because if it improves the education and safety of children in our community, then YES. I do not have children, but I believe in helping our children and our city/community to be a better place with higher education. In the long run, it makes the value of your home go up by having good quality schools that are attractive. Just in case those bitter, uneducated folks out there that need something they can understand and reason for why they should vote for it. :)
Earl Elevant
3:55 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
"Just in case those bitter, uneducated folks out there that need something they can understand and reason for why they should vote for it."
Wow. Maybe you should look in the mirror to find someone uneducated.
What on earth did this sentence mean?
People can't afford to pay anything more to the schools--no matter what names you call them.
If you'd like to write the schools a check to make them better, please feel free.
Adam C. Miller
1:27 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Selfish!?!?! What an ignorant thing to say...
Dave
1:31 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
How is that ignorant? Explain how it's not selfish to not want to help the kids in our community because you don't want to part with a few dollars a month?
Adam C. Miller
2:11 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
How does this help the "kids"?
Dave
2:13 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
You don't think Safety and Technology upgrades would help?
Earl Elevant
11:20 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Dave, more than half of my property taxes go to the schools.
This is *MUCH MORE* than "a few dollars."
Every levy is "a few dollars." The next levy will be "a few dollars."
Before long, the schools have more of my property taxes than the county does.
No more. I have given all the "few dollars" I can afford.
nbmgwtw
6:26 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Haven't we just passed TWO levys in a row? What on Earth are doing with the money? I think it is wrong for property owners to fund schools anyway. Items that are for children should be taxed so ALL people with kids support the schools...not just the people who own homes. Tax their clothing, toys, formula, diapers, cribs, baby food, etc. and tax at a higher rate so the schools can get their cut after the city and state takes theirs.
Earl Elevant
11:33 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
What have they done with the money they've already been given?
"The Board also voted to hire Right Brain Design Group, a public relations and marketing firm, to build the levy campaign."
They're using the money they already have to suck more money out of us.
It's time for a grassroots effort to take on this levy and beat it. The little guy against the school system so poor they can hire a PR firm to get them more money.
Unreal.
Dave
9:23 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
It's baffles me that you just can't see the benefit in funding education. I'm sorry nobody's helping you pay your mortgage, but I'm sure you're going to, if you don't already, expect your social security check to come every month, and who do you think is going to fund that? Well educated kids who grow up and get good jobs, not kids in underfunded schools who don't get a good education and end up on welfare. And the board wouldn't have to hire a PR group to show people the benefits if there were more support to begin with.
Adam C. Miller
1:30 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Education!?!? They need the money to tear down Sill Middle school lol
Earl Elevant
11:22 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Dave, your logic belongs in the county jail:
"We wouldn't have to take your money if you'd just give it to us willingly."
Even more unreal. Heh.
Ryan Brady
9:09 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
People are naive to even think that a levy will pass in this town again after The 2003 fiasco.
Adam C. Miller
12:47 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
My wife and I will be voting NO!
David
1:12 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thanks Kellie Patterson for educating people! 2 votes from this childless household. Education is a top priority for the children of Cuyahoga Falls. I was given chances in my lifetime to get where I am. Why people are making a big deal over 7.50 added to their taxes each month is ridiculous. If you can't afford your mortgage because of that, then you have bigger problems and should probably downsize from a mortgage.
Kendra White
1:17 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I agree David!
Adam C. Miller
1:34 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
If it were only that easy... David, if everyone that is delinquent on their property taxes in C-Falls paid their taxes we wouldn't be having this conversation!
Plus, aren't close to 50% of Bolich Middle School students on FREE or REDUCED lunch?!?!
Earl Elevant
11:24 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
David, if I vote yes and the levy passes, will you pay my $7.50 per month?
After all, it's not a big deal. It would be ridiculous for you to worry about it.
This is a TOP PRIORITY.
How about it? You willing to put yourself out there to get a couple more "yes" votes?
Earl Elevant
1:03 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Hello? David?
This is a TOP PRIORITY!
Why haven't you offered to pay my $7.50 per month?
The children are waiting for you?
Don't you want a great school system for pennies more a day?
Adam C. Miller
12:44 pm on Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tonight at 6PM! Virtual Town Hall on School Funding in Ohio: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/education/Virtual-town-hall-after-Governor-John-Kasich-reveals-school-funding-reform-plan-in-Columbus
discusted parent
1:01 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I'm with you guys! I'm voting no!! The falls schools waste money like I've never seen before!! They want to fix these buildings that are falling apart. Build new. They should be embarrassed to ask for more!!
Adam C. Miller
8:30 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
MUST READ: http://www.fallsnewspress.com/news%20local/2013/02/07/cuyahoga-falls-woodridge-school-districts-would-receive-more-money-under-gov-kasich-s-funding-plan
Looks like we won't need that levy after all...