BOARDMAN — To keep the Boardman Local School District vibrant and financially strong, it’s imperative that two renewal levies pass in the Nov. 4 general election, a top official says.

“We continue to do our very best to be good stewards of your tax dollars and still provide the best educational opportunities for our students,” Superintendent Chris Neifer said.

Neifer made his pitch for the pair of measures during the annual Candidates and Issues forum Monday evening in Boardman Park’s Lariccia Family Community Center. Hosting the one-hour election forum and information session was the Boardman Civic Association.

The gathering, which was not a political debate, gave candidates running for local positions three minutes each to address why they feel they’re the best and most qualified for the posts they seek. In addition, the representatives were invited to also speak on renewal levies to benefit Mahoning County Senior Services (local Issue 1) and the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities (local Issue 2), both of which will appear on the general election ballot.

The first Boardman school levy originally was approved in 1991 as a 6-mill measure, but its current effective rate is 2.47 mills, though the $3.5 million it generates annually has remained the same. If it passes, the levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home $86 per year, Neifer said.

The second measure was originally approved in 1996 as a 5.9-mill current expense levy, though its effective rate today is 2.9 mills, he noted, adding that it brings in about $4.2 million annually. The levy renewal is being proposed as a continuing levy “to ensure long-term financial stability for our schools with no new taxes,” the superintendent said, adding that it will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $102 per year.

Funds from a current expense levy are used largely for salaries and benefits for teachers, staff and administrators; electricity, water and other utility and maintenance costs; and transportation, he noted.

The levies, which, combined, would generate about $7.7 million annually, are necessary also because of continuing rising costs, Neifer said.

“Since these levies were first passed in the 1990s, the average rate of inflation has been about 2.5% each year,” he added.

FISCAL OFFICER POSITION

Brad Calhoun, who served 15 years as a trustee, relinquished that seat to fill the fiscal officer position shortly after William D. Leicht retired in February. Consequently, he will run for Leicht’s position in the November election.

Calhoun noted that during his time as trustee, the township has received about $50 million in grants. Much of the money has gone toward the $47 million federally funded Forest Lawn Stormwater Park water mitigation project on the former Market Street Elementary School site to alleviate years of chronic flooding, especially in the Cranberry Run area.

Overseeing the work is the ABC Stormwater District, which also includes Austintown and Canfield townships.

Calhoun, who also taught 33 years in the school district, said his priorities as fiscal officer will include ensuring transparency in records kept, updating certain financial practices and being sure all money is spent properly.

TRUSTEE SEATS

Four candidates are running for two of three trustee seats up for grabs.

Matt Gambrel, a 2000 Boardman High School graduate who has lived in the township 43 years and has his own law practice, said a driving force behind his decision to run for the position is a deep love for Boardman. In addition, Gambrel has his hands in many aspects of community and civic life, and will bring a fresh perspective to piggyback on what has already been achieved, he said.

In his remarks, Cody McCormick, a local Amazon manager, took a more cynical view, lamenting that the Southern Park Mall “is on life support,” and that the township still has antiquated zoning codes and “half-empty plazas.” The local economy needs to be rebuilt to attract new businesses, and more modern zoning codes adopted, he said, adding that Boardman is still dealing with chronic flooding problems.

Steve Yacovone, who was named to the board of trustees after Calhoun filled Leicht’s position, told his audience he will bring the same level of passion and skills to the post as he displayed as an assistant Mahoning County prosecutor who fought for victims’ rights.

In his six months as trustee, Yacovone said he has been among those who have worked to establish the Clarence R. Smith-Mahoning Valley First Responder Wellness Center, which would provide help to firefighters, police officers, dispatchers, emergency medical technicians and others who have physical and mental difficulties stemming from trauma associated with their work. The facility on Rauppe Avenue would partner with mental health agencies and augment services such as behavioral health treatment and other types of assistance via providing a location for first responders and their families to attend proactive wellness events and programs.

Also running is incumbent Thomas P. Costello, who pointed to the stormwater flood control project while noting that it includes a retention pond that can hold nearly 2 million gallons of water to prevent flooding. In addition, he is helping to garner additional grant money to mitigate flooding around the Boardman Plaza on U.S. Route 224, Costello said.

TWO OTHER LEVIES

Joseph Rossi, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio’s chief executive officer, discussed the renewal of the Mahoning County Senior Services levy, which was first approved in 2016, then renewed by a large margin in 2020. Direction Home oversees area senior programming.

“This levy has quietly but powerfully changed the lives of older adults and their caregivers,” he said, adding, “Because of these funds, older adults have received more than 830,000 home-delivered meals and nearly 400,000 hours of personal care, which includes assistance in grooming, dress and other hands-on services to remain in their homes.”

In the nine years since its initial passage, the levy also has funded community programs that include the Senior Farmers Market, which offers fresh produce to older adults while assisting area farmers; recreational opportunities aimed at decreasing social isolation; and the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office’s senior unit, set up to strengthen the safety net to protect seniors, Rossi noted.

In sum, the levy is intended to ensure older people can age with dignity. It also saves taxpayer dollars by preventing many premature nursing home placements, he added.

“Issue 2 is a 3-mill levy renewal that will not increase taxes. This levy, first passed in 2000, is critical to supporting the programs and facilities operated by the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities and their provider partners,” Bill Whitacre, board supervisor, said.

The MCBDD serves nearly 2,000 people annually, an estimated 1,200 of whom receive Service and Support Administration services. About 975 of them also are on Medicaid waivers, which allow the board to access federal and state matching funds, Whitacre said. He added that such waiver money supports a variety of programs that include adult day programming, transportation, residential and employment services and home modifications.

“These services enable individuals with developmental disabilities to live and work in their local communities, fostering independence and inclusion,” he added.

Also under the board’s umbrella is the Leonard Kirtz School in Austintown, which offers daily specialized education, care and transportation to nearly 60 students with special needs, Whitacre continued.

“The passage of Issue 2 is vital to maintaining these services for nearly 2,000 individuals and their families. Without this levy, MCBDD would not be able to continue providing the support that so many in our community rely on,” he said.