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Rootstown and Windham seek OK for school levies: District voters to see renewal issues

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By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

Ohio’s schools are required to ask their communities to fund basic programs and services such as utilities, maintenance supplies, building and equipment repairs.

This is the case for both Rootstown and Windham, whose voters will face renewal levies Tuesday. The levies are not new taxes, but are continuations of funds for operational costs.

The Rootstown School District has a 5.29 mill, 5-year renewal levy on the ballot, which will raise $965,056 per year.

“Without it, we’re in bad shape,” said Board of Education Member Dale Hluch. “I firmly believe that when we stop supporting our schools, we’re going to stop supporting the growth of our community.”

Hluch said the district considered a replacement levy, but thought better of it with the current economic climate.

“Rootstown has done an excellent job with what we’ve had,” he said. “We really need more money, but we don’t feel that this is the time to ask for money because people are so pinched for money. It’s been tough.”

Signs promoting the levy are springing up in the area, and Hluch said he is optimistic about the levy’s passage.

Meanwhile, the Windham School District has a 5.8 mill, 5-year renewal levy on the ballot, which will raise $339,000 per year.

The owner of a $100,000 home could expect to continue paying $171 per year if it passes.

“It is minimal,” said Windham Superintendent Carol Kropinak. “We’re not asking for new money. We have an administrative team in the district that has been very conscientious as to how we spend district dollars.”

She said district officials have used federal stimulus dollars and applied for grants to receive additional funds.

“We’ve been very cautious,” Kropinak said. “I think that speaks a lot to us matching our resources to our needs.”

The state is weighing a school funding plan for school districts, but Kropinak worries about that bill’s future. 

“This levy is imperative,” she said. “We’ve done a lot of great things in our district,” she added pointing add the district’s continued improvement in the state report cards.

“I am optimistic (about the levy),” Kropinak said. “Will I say it sit back and say it will pass? No. People are watching every dollar. What makes me feel optimistic is that we have a community that supports us. It’s my hope that the community continues to do so.”