CANFIELD — The Canfield Board of Education met in special session Tuesday to take the first steps toward placing a 5.9-mill additional operations levy on the November ballot.

“This is a 5.9-mill current expense levy to appear on the November ballot this year,” said Board President Steve DeMaiolo. “This is the first of two votes needed.”

Canfield Local School District Treasurer Ben Marko said the first vote only contains the millage. Once approved, it allows the district to forward the levy request to the Mahoning County auditor, who will verify the amount it will bring in and the cost for property owners.

Marko said it all comes down to timing, and the auditor was informed to expect it after the Tuesday meeting.

“If all is completed in a timely manner, the second (and final) vote will come at the July 8 Board of Education meeting,” Marko said.

Because the Tuesday meeting was a special one, no public presentation was permitted. In final comments, board member Nader Atway had a simple message.

“This (levy) will help us in a few areas,” he said. “It will help us deal with deficit spending, and it will help us support and maintain what we have here in Canfield Schools.”

The initial vote was unanimous with board member Katie Elford also in attendance. Board members Betsy Ahlquist and Jill DeRamo were unable to attend the meeting.