Recordpub.com - Field voters to face school levy on March ballot

By Thomas Gallick | Staff Writer

Voters in the Field School District will decide on another proposed school levy in March, though the size of the levy is not yet clear.

The Field Board of Education has approved a resolution of necessity, the first step toward putting a levy on the March 6, 2012 ballot.

“(The board) passed a resolution of necessity, but they have not decided the millage yet,” Field Superintendent Beth Coleman said.

Field’s five-year, 6-mill combination levy failed 3,688 to 2,226 earlier this month, according to final but unofficial vote totals from the Portage County Board of Elections.

In August, voters turned down a proposed 1.25 percent income tax to support the district by an even greater margin, denying it by a total of 3,166 to 1,029 votes.

Field officials predict a deficit of $554,000 in 2013 and $10 million by 2016 if a levy is not passed.

Coleman said the school recognizes the poor economy has affected residents, but added that the district has no choice but to propose another levy.

“We know this is a tough time for everyone,” Coleman said. “We wouldn’t be asking unless we absolutely needed to.”

Since the attempt at creating an income tax failed, Field has made more than $1.5 million in cuts by dropping bus routes, approving pay freezes and charging students increased fees to participate in athletics.

Coleman said the district has not made additional cuts since the most recent levy attempt failed.

A special board meeting has been scheduled for Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Field High School cafeteria to discuss the new levy proposal.

Coleman said she encouraged residents to attend and learn about the district’s financial situation.

“I would also urge community members to contact board members to discuss their concerns,” Coleman said.

12.	Posted by zodi December 1, 2011
	Background checks are top priority when it comes to our kids! Sure they are and for a district to fire two employees in the system in three months...makes me wonder. And I don't care if Ms. Coleman is not earning the salary that other administrators are...her salary needs cut. All workers in the district need to get a pay cut. The public sector workers have taken pay cuts, cuts in hours/benefits why shouldn't they?? They want US, the people who are struggling to make ends meet pay for them. I think they heard loud and clear that there is no more money and they better come up with a plan for future years.

11.	Posted by Tom530 November 29, 2011
	Cooleronline, I agree wiht you that a failing school system tanks our home values. You are absolutely right. The problem is that Field needs to get its fiscal house in order before we ask the cash strapped voters in the District for more of their hard earned dollars. If we increase taxes then there is no incentive for them to cut the excess spending. I like Beth Coleman and think she is honestly trying. I have met wiht her once in her office and spoke to her several other times. I do not alwasy agree wiht her though. For example, she has no plans to cut costs further this year because school district is solvent through June 2012 according to treasurer's projections. Why not look at further cost now to get ahead of the curve? Do you know that outsourcing companies refuse to do background checks? Have you seen any cost studies and what possible savings could be? I have not. I am not saying to outsource the services, but why not make an informed decision? You say the Tea Party was "intrusive" for showing up at the polls and passing out informational flyers. Do you also consider the firefighters who showed up to encourage voters to vote "No" on Issue two also intrusive? If your answer is yes then at least you are consistent. If "no" then it appears your opinion on the Tea Party is purely political. Why don't we try to get the whole community on the same page? All of us believe in making our schools the strongest they can be for our children today AND tomorrow. Yes, I have issues wiht the way the District chooses to spend my money. Obviously I am not alone in my concerns else the past two levy attempts would not have failed so bad. Let's have a joint meeting between pro levy and anti levy people and see if there is any middle ground. Maybe there is none, maybe there is some. I would love to be able to support a levy and put signs out in my yard and talk it up big time. Unfortunately I cannot do that at this time and still be intellectually honest wiht myself. Let me know if you would like to discuss anything further.

10.	Posted by cooleronline November 28, 2011
	Tom530, You missed my point. I am trying to tell you that several generations have, and do attend Field Schools. I would hope your Grandchildren raise their families here too. Great Community! But a failing school system tanks our home values. I respectfully disagree with any outsourcing of school employees. The school district would no longer be in control of whom is hired. Background checks are top priority when it comes to our kids! Yes, I know about the recent events with the football coach. That is another forum. I do know extensive background checks are done on all employees. This young couple made bad decisions. As for the Tea Party. To me, they seem like a radical group running amok throughout Portage County, rallying against school levies. If the Tea Party says it is so, then it is so. They are intrusive!I will be voting absentee next time, so I do not have to deal with it. I attended several block parties last summer where Beth Coleman accepted questions, and gave honest answers. I believe she is doing a great job with what she has been given, and what she is up against. My hope is that she does not get discouraged. The finished products coming out of Field Schools are very impressive. Attend a Graduation Ceremony, you will see.

9.	Posted by Tom530 November 28, 2011
	Cooleronline, Are you suggesting because I did not attend Field schools I am not allowed an opinion on the School District Finances? By that same logic then can I not pay my property taxes that go to Field schools because I did not attend? Of course not, so all of you native Fieldians (sic) need to recognize that you need to deal wiht the people you are asking to pay for the school. I am not saying a levy is not needed. I am saying that until Field fixes their excess spending there should be no levy passed. If we just give them more money the BOE will never fix the excess spending and we doom future generations of children to go through this funding mess. Why not take our medicine now and fix it for future generations. I am willing to go through some pain now to make sure my granddaughter receives a good education in the Field District. Btw, I am a proud member of the Tea Party. I am not part of the leadership and do not speak for the group in any way. There are a group of us who feel similar to me about this. Simple answer, fix the excess spending and THEN pass the levy. It is difficult to get anyone to even discuss this in the Field District. If you haven't noticed, but in the last two levy attempts it is rather obvious that the voters of Field District do not think sending more money to the District is the right idea at this time. Why not have an open town hall where there can be questions asked (by the questioners) and follow-up questions allowed?

8.	Posted by cooleronline November 27, 2011
	Tom530, Too bad some folks felt the need to stand in the parking lot, persuading voters to vote against this levy. Did you attend Field Schools? Many of us raised our families here. And our kids are raising their families here. We want to see this district survive. I for one am very happy to hear the measures this BOE is undertaking to get this accomplished. Too bad they have to spend money on this. Let me take you back a few years before the new elementary buildings were built. My children and I attended Brimfield when the old metal buildings were classrooms. Snow blew in, the roofs leaked. Too many issues to list. These were put in place in the "60's" as temporary. The new buildings are just what we need to grow our community and educate children. About 10 years ago my sister-in-law moved back to Ohio. She has 4 kids. She asked me about Field Schools. I told her, "NO" do not come here. They cannot pass a levy, and our schools are very outdated.She chose Stow Schools. Her children received a very good education. I do not want to ever again discourage folks from raising their children here. So you see, this problem is not new. We have been fighting this battle for more than 10 years. You just happened to wake up and realize it. If you happen to stumble upon any "TEA Party" folks, ask them to please look for a postive solution to our problems. We need their support. They seem to have alot of time on their hands.

6.	Posted by Tom530 November 27, 2011
	There is still excess spending by the Field School Board. Also total compensation in the Field school District is $10 million so a 5% cut across the board would save about $500,000 a year. The excess spending still going on includes pension pickups on all administrators, hospitalization that has not been shopped, the teacher "pay freeze" that is really deferred compensation, hiring playground, detention and study hall monitors instead of other personnel covering those tasks, no consideration of outsourcing bussing, cafeteria or administration services. The Board is hiring "Save Our Schools" (SOS) consultants (big union guns from Columbus) to get this levy passed. SOS was instrumental in getting the Nordonia and Stow levies passed. Too bad the Board feels a need to bring in outsiders to influence our district voters.

5.	Posted by Love it or Leave it November 27, 2011
	I have to agree with cutting straight across with all the employees. You have to cut the wages with teachers and administrators. If they don't like it, then you find another job. You have to layoff to fix the budget. The district is falling. The elementary teachers went to college and they took music, art and gym. The special teachers would be layed off and they would have to set up a schedule for specials and recess duty. The tax burden is off the charts for everyone in the country except for NBA players. We actually may have to go back to the basics. That would be a breath of fresh air. I agree, Mrs. Coleman should take a salary cut and find a CEO to take over. The board should have never approved a non teacher to be in that position. The administration needs to scrutinize each individual under a microscope to work with our children.

4.	Posted by DoWhatsRight November 27, 2011
	Why don't the school board get all the employees together and simply tell them we have to cut everyone wages across the board to make up for the shortage in the budget. If you do not want to accept this then we will lay off how many it takes to meet the budget. It seems that they do not hesitate to ask the taxpayers to give up more and more so they can have more and more. Put the pressure on them instead of the taxpayer that already has a burden too big to carry. I read someplace that in the early days, those serving on the school board had to pay out of their own pocket any amount spent over the school budget. Maybe we need this again.