CANFIELD — The Canfield Board of Education voted to rescind the 6.9-mill bond levy from the Aug. 2 ballot after its defeat by nearly 72 percent in the May 3 primary.

“We saw what the election results were,” board President Nader Atway said. “I interpret it, based on the margin of loss, it was clearly a defeat.”

Canfield Superintendent Joe Knoll asked board members, “Do we want to continue or rescind it? I am asking for your input.”

Nader said there are clearly different views and different reasons the voters turned down the levy that would have raised $107,800,000 and built a new school and bus garage on the Red Gate Farm property owned by the city.

Board member Matt Campbell said, “I agree we need to take a closer look at our options. I would like to hear more input from the community.”

Board members Traci DeCapua and Jennifer Kluchar agreed. Board member Dave Wilkeson was not in attendance.

Atway called for a vote to rescind the bond levy from the Aug. 2 ballot and the four members present voted yes.

Atway said, “I see an opportunity to come back with a plan the community will support.”

Resident Frank Micchia was in attendance and had signed a paper to speak in public forum, but found out it was the wrong paper. Atway permitted him to speak at the end of the meeting.

“I guess this is after the fact,” he said. “Bussing our students to some remote campus out in farm land does not make sense to me. A campus setting has little value.”

Micchia said he also is concerned the school district’s 5.9 mill renewal levy this fall may be on the line.

“I do not believe the failed bond issue left a good impression and the 5.9 mill levy may be in jeopardy,” he said. “Time to go back to the drawing board. Work with the schools and property we have.”

COACH CONCERNS

On a different matter, Canfield High School teacher Todd Muckleroy addressed the board over a concern he was to not be rehired as the Canfield boys basketball coach for next season.

Muckleroy took over the boys program in 2010 when Coach John Cullen stepped down. He has led the program for the past 12 years, but claims he was informed recently that his contract would not be renewed.

Knoll said it is common practice to not renew contracts at the end of the school year and rehire coaches at a later meeting. Muckleroy’s coaching position was not on the agenda at the Wednesday meeting.

“I have not been evaluated in four years,” he told board members. “I have been asked to resign three times since March 28. I am not resigning. I will continue to give 100 percent as a teacher.”

Resident Tom King said he has known Muckleroy since he was in his teens. “He is a good man. I don’t understand why this is happening. I think you’re making a big mistake by losing him.”

Also speaking up for Muckleroy was former Canfield Athletic Director Greg Cooper.

“I was athletic director for 16 years,” Cooper said. “My job was to hire coaches, review them, and be an advocate for them. There are always times when people get upset with the coach, but an outstanding coach has been told he will not be renewed. We are lucky to have (Muckleroy) and he deserves to go through due process.”

No one spoke against Muckleroy at the meeting, but he did say in true coaching manner, “Sometimes the biggest setbacks, make for the biggest comebacks.”