Canfield school leaders view options after levy failure
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CANFIELD — The Canfield Board of Education pondered all available options — from cutbacks, school consolidation and another levy try — this week in the wake of the recent defeat of the district’s additional tax levy.
Each board member weighed in about the future path for Canfield Local Schools.
Superintendent Joe Knoll kicked off the conversation by offering a recap on the state level. He said 134 school districts had levies on the ballot in Ohio and just over half passed. Of requests for additional money went, 20 out of 69 passed. He added there were 39 income taxes on the ballot and only 5 passed.
"So where do we go from here," he said. "If we decide to go on the May ballot, we will need to pass two resolutions before Feb. 3, 2027."
Board President Steven DeMaiolo weighed in, saying, "I am obviously disappointed in the results. 53% said no and 47% said yes. We have to accept that there will be changes in 2027. We have to look at every single option. We have to look at building consolidation and open enrollment. I am not saying any of those will happen. I am just saying we need to look at them."
Knoll told DeMaiolo a few teachers are retiring, and he would love to ease the district's problems through attrition.
Board member Nader Atway praised the levy committee for doing an outstanding job at getting the word out.
"It is disappointing when I see community members against the levy," Atway said. "It's OK to have an opposing view, but I saw a lot of misinformation. I am hoping there is something we can look at that will save these [teacher and staff] jobs. What cannot be done is not going back to the voters."
Board member Betsy Ahlquist said she sees three groups of concern. Those are taxpayers, teachers and parents. She said the teachers are worried about the spot they are in.
"I think we need to go back to voters with a lower number," she said. "The 5.9 mills is too much. We need to come up with a plan and it must be on the May ballot."
Board member Jill DeRamo agreed with the misinformation issue.
"Some of the things I heard were so disheartening," she said. "Someone said the Board of Education members make $34,000 a year. I don't know where they heard that, but it is not true."
DeRamo offered the idea of looking at going down to three buildings and how much that might save.
"We need a work session, DeRamo said. "I don't think we can wait. We have to show the community we are doing what we can to cut costs.
Board member Katie Elford was last to weigh in. She said when the ideas are talked about, she would prefer the building principals be involved.
"None of us want to make cuts, but our goal is preserving jobs," she said. "Where and how do we go from here?"
The board took the first step by unanimously agreeing to hire a company that does electric audits. The company researches the last five years of electric bills and determines if the district has been overcharged. If not, there was no fee to the district. If an overcharge is found, the company would take a percentage and the school would be given the rest, and future billing would be at the correct rate.
"There is no cost or risk for the district," said schools Treasurer Ben Marko. "We have nothing to lose, but could see a gain."