Andrews: Schools Can 'Continue Excellence' With Levy Approval
School board member David Andrews addressed some residents about the upcoming levy at a Meet the Candidates Night Thursday.
“There is no dispute that Twinsburg City Schools is doing its job,” David Andrews, a school board member, said Thursday night.
Andrews addressed residents about the upcoming school levy at Meet The Candidates Night in the Twinsburg Community Center, along with Superintendent Kathryn Powers and Assistant Superintendent Mike Lenzo.
Andrews told the crowd that he was there as a business owner and parent, asking people to support upcoming levy.
Twinsburg has seen four consecutive years with an "excellence with distinction" rating on the state report cards, Andrews said, continues to prepare high-performing students.
“We can continue this excellence, and we can do it with your support,” he said.
On Nov. 6 the district is asking residents to support a 4.9 mill continuing operating levy. If approved it will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $150.06 annually, according to the district's data.
This will create $3.8 million each year for the district, in addition to the recent $3.2 million in cuts and changes. Combined they will fill the $7 million hole in operating expenses, Andrews said.
He said the new money wouldn't reinstate any of the recent cuts made by the district, but Powers said the new money will be focused on implementing more advanced education, especially in technology, helping students in online assessments.
Some residents questioned salary and benefit options for district employees.
While the teachers union agreed to a base-wage freeze earlier this, they are still getting step increases, which is an increase in salary for an additional year of experience.
Teachers get step increases for certain years, while there are no increases for other years. The steps remained the same after the most recent union agreement.
People also questioned administrative "pickups," where the district pays a portion of pension payments for administrative employees.
Andrews said these benefits are in place in order to keep the most talented staff in the district, remaining competitive with other schools.
The Truth
10:59 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
The levy is not needed at this time. What is needed is for the republican controlled state legislature to return the PPT to Twinsburg schools. If we pass this levy the state will most likely cut what they give to us. Thank the republican controlled legislature for this levy.
Dave
12:05 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Anyone I have talked to who opposes the levy has not said that they are against the levy because of the school district's performance. The four consecutive years of "excellent with distinction" rating is something the school board, administration, teachers, support staff, students, parents and residents should all be proud of. However, money is not the reason this rating has been earned. It is due to the hard work of all the groups of people I listed above. While the school board has made a large amount of cuts, I do not believe they have gone far enough as evidenced by only asking for a wage freeze from the teachers and not reductions in salary, and remember the fees that have already been institued on students.
These are reasons I do not support passing a levy at this time.
Wake Up!
6:24 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012
District revenues have been cut 20% by the state (approximately $7 million per yer) and the board responded by making deep cuts that any parent will tell you are already being felt. Class sizes are larger, students have fewer options and will graduate with far fewer credits than the class of 2012. If the district cuts another $3 million plus a year from the budget, Twinsburg becomes Bedford or Nordonia. Kiss the excellent ratings goodbye, watch properties values fall and forget about the Twinsburg Schools we once knew. If this levy does not pass, the downward spiral of the schools will be felt by all who live here. Those who say the cuts aren't deep enough are either woefully misinformed or disingenious (no cuts would ever satisfy them).
Cheryl
12:30 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
All of the above comments are appreciated and understood... People on fixed incomes or people who do not have stable income will have a problem paying for this levy.
Cheryl
12:34 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
and not only paying for the levy, but also paying for health insurance increases, groceries, etc. Everything is going up but the stability of our country. Also thank voting for SB 5 that caused quite a few changes that people did not understand.