Levy garners support Kevin Zieber Staff Writer It has been more than five years since <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canton</strong> voters passed the last school operating levy, and according to Treasurer Todd Tolson, with help from a slew of figures and statistics, the district will need to make major cuts should the 6.5-mill levy voters will be asked to approve May 2 fail. The organization working to pass this levy – the Citizens Supporting Excellence in Education – met Mar. 1 to discuss the accomplishments of past levies and express the need for the new levy. The levy is mainly a non-wage and benefits concern, meaning that it will not affect teacher wages, but instead will be focused on funding things like textbooks, t e c h n o l o g y , building supplies, library materials and field trips. A new levy would yield $4 million in funding, necessary to keep not only the prestige and excellence of the school district up, but also to keep the property and house values within the district high and rising. In essence, to keep people coming into the community, the schools must be supported by taxpayer dollars, say supporters. “I get calls from parents moving into Parts of Plain to become Hoover Twp. Rebecca Paasch Staff Writer An extra $40,000 may stay in the pockets of <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canton</strong> each year thanks to a proposal from <strong>City</strong> Council. According to councilman-at-large Jim Repace, this will be accomplished by <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canton</strong>’s separation from Plain Township, and the formation of a new township, likely to be named Hoover Township. “The question was why we were paying taxes to Plain Township when we could be keeping it our own town,” Repace said. “Roughly $40,000 will stay right here in 6 the viking views 03.24.06 the area and their number one criteria is the school system,” Peggy McClain, Director of Curriculum for <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canton</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Schools</strong> said. “It’s worth the extra tax dollars to us to keep our houses at the value they currently hold.” The school is already eating into the carryover balance, which is comprised of excess funds and charitable donations that have been collecting for years. If the proposed levy does not pass, then the carry-over balance of past levies will continue to wither to nothing. In the past two school years alone, the budget reductions have added up to 30 percent, or a total of $1,774,641 tax dollars saved, in an attempt to hold onto the quality of the school district until this new levy would have a chance to pass. At the current rate of balance reduction, by the end of the 2006- “This community has been through a lot of changes over the past few years, and this is an issue that will continue on the strengths of this community.” – Mark Cerreta 2007 school year, the school would have a balance of only $85,866. Not only is the actual feat of using levy dollars to their full potential a task in itself, but the hardest part of any campaign is bolstering support. Spearheading the campaign are parents Mark and Lauri Cerreta, co-chairs of the Citizens Supporting Excellence in Education. Mark Cerreta believes that the strength in the campaign lies in honesty with regard to what it actually entails. “We want to be open and honest with <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canton</strong>.” He said that the only other change will be that <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canton</strong> residents will no longer be able to vote for Plain Township trustees. “There’s really no reason to be voting for them—the trustees can’t represent any <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canton</strong> resident anyways,” Repace said. Council President Doug Foltz told the <strong>Canton</strong> Repository that one benefit of the change will be the reduction of yard signs at campaign time, since trustee and clerk signs will no longer be needed. The many things that will not change include township lines and school districts, as councilman Doug Lane told the a lot of respect and integrity on this entire campaign,” Cerreta said. “The people of this community are very intelligent people –they will see that there is a need for this to pass now, not later.” As for the actual process of recruiting helpers to support the levy, the Citizens Supporting Excellence in Education has laid the foundation for what should be a successful campaign. Every attempt is being made to reach out to any and all from the community willing to help with the cause. Several volunteer committees are currently forming to help enlighten and sway voters. Committees such as callers, sign committees and even a committee aimed at meeting with kindergarteners and their parents will be utilized in pushing for just one more vote of “Yes” to <strong>Issue</strong> 3. The Citizens Supporting Excellence in Education are even hoping to reach and excite teens about the prospects of a new operating levy. They hope that those high school students over 18 will exercise their rights and show up at the polls come May 2. “The student body just needs to realize that this is ultimately for their benefit,” McClain said. The committee is hopeful that support will be felt from the students and community in a combined effort to pass this new levy. “This community has been through a lot of changes over the past few years, and this is an issue that will continue on the strengths of this community,” Cerreta said. •v Repository. “If you are in Plain Local <strong>Schools</strong> now, you’ll remain there,” Lane said. Repace added that services like road maintenance will not change providers. If a resident’s roads are currently cleared by Plain Twp., it will stay that way, regardless of whether or not he or she attends <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canton</strong> schools. The Stark County commissioners, who will be presented with the proposal by <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canton</strong>’s law director, will be asked to establish the new township after a 30 day period. However, this is largely a formality, Repace said. •v
1. Red Carpet Premiere Hoover’s Prom Fashion Show n(1) Senior Molly Moldovan shows off her white dress. (2) Senior Cory Fleischman tilts his glasses to the audience. (3) Senior Andrew Armour models his suit. (4) Seniors Kavita Betkerur and Josh Nettleton enjoy a moment together. (5) Senior Gina DePietro annonces the next models. (6) Junior Liz Porter stikes a pose. (7) Senior Deandra Heithoff whispers in Stephen Soni’s ear while posing. This took place March 7. PHOTOS : SARAH THARP AND DEREK QUINN 2. 3. 4. 7. 6. 5. 03.24.06 the viking views 7
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