The Youngstown School Board is considering whether or not to put a renewal levy for funding in front of voters. The original levy passed in 2008 and was renewed in 2012 and again in 2015 and expires this year.
If the board decides not to put the levy on the ballot, the district could lose over five million dollars, an amount the district CEO says is needed. However, the president of the board would like to make sure the district is accountable to tax payers before authorizing the levy, and questions have arisen over spending.
Some board members argue the CEO has overspent in some areas, including salaries, and that he has not kept them fully informed. However, he says the treasurer for the district attends all the board meetings, and also that the board receives a monthly financial report. He also says that when he arrived, the district had a surplus of $8.3 million. He is leaving in July, and by 2021, the district should have a surplus of over $20 million. Not only that, but the graduation rate is up by 11%.
Several of the board members said they want to gather input from taxpayers and will hold a community meeting for that purpose. Officials dealing with this type of issue could use flyer printing to create a handout for attendees.