CANFIELD — An operating levy and buses were on the agenda Wednesday as Canfield Board of Education members had to make a decision for both amid financial uncertainty.

The first issue was the 5.9-mill operating levy expected to bring in $5.3 million per year to handle wages, maintenance and daily operations for the district. The auditor determined the levy would cost $207 per year for the owner of a home with a market value of $100,000.

Superintendent Joe Knoll highlighted the fact the district saved $3.5 million from 2020 to 2025 by eliminating four certified employees and eight classified employees through attrition, and having five take retire/rehire. If the district doesn’t gain any new money this year, the future cuts may be steeper. Knoll said he may have to cut 40 to 50 employees and reduce class sizes to keep the district going.

“The bad news is the county commissioners have approved the 2.5% (homestead rollback),” Knoll said. “That will cost us $380,000 a year.”

He said the district ended the 2025-26 school year with $1.25 million in deficit spending. He said that means a deficit spending amount of $2.5 million for the 2026-27 school year.

“At this time, these are discussion points,” Knoll said. “If we don’t get new money, this district will look a lot different for the 2027-28 school year. And that is a fact.”

Under public presentation, David Moore said, “I would like to hear from the district’s four unions and what their expectations are for wages moving forward. I would rather lose five sports rather than five teachers.”

Jason Henry, who claimed to represent the levy committee said, “Our group supports the levy. We are organized and have a plan. Now we need funds and volunteers to get this passed.”

Prior to the official levy vote, the board discussed buses. On the agenda was a resolution to purchase three new buses from Myers Equipment at a cost of $427,947. Board members asked Knoll why the district needs three buses and Knoll said those three buses did not pass inspection.

The three in question were looked over by Myers personnel and estimates were given for repairs.

A 2009 bus needs $17,000 worth of repairs, a 2008 bus needs $29,400 in repairs and a 1999 bus would require $18,085 in repairs to make it road ready for a total of nearly $65,000.

“Those prices are for what they can see,” Knoll said. “The cost could be higher once they dig into the repairs.”

He added the cost of a new bus is expected to rise next year by $10,000 to $15,000.

Board member Nader Atway said he was on board with the need to replace buses. He wondered if anyone had good used buses for sale. He also noted the 2.5% rollback hurt in this regard.

“That 2.5% homestead (rollback) is our three new buses,” Atway said.

Board member Betsy Ahlquist said she was on board for making the needed repairs to the three buses and board member Katie Elford questioned if the community would back it. Atway suggested fixing two buses and buying one new one.

After much discussion, a vote was taken on buying one new bus from Myers Equipment at a cost of $142,649 and repairing two. The vote was 4-0 with Elford, Ahlquist, Atway and Board President Steve Demaiolo voting yes.

Prior to that vote, the board had turned down the original resolution to purchase three new buses.The board then passed a resolution 4-0 to place the 5.9-mill operating levy on the Nov. 2 ballot.