Tressel Rallies For South-Western City School Levy
NBC 4
More than 200 people show up at Westland Mall to rally for Issue 2.
Published: July 20, 2009
Updated: July 20, 2009
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio—If Issue 2 fails Tuesday, Aug. 4, it will mean the elimination of all athletics, busing and afterschool activities for one local district.
NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.
More than 200 people showed up to rally for the South-Western City Schools levy or Issue 2 that voters will decide on during the special election.
Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel was one of the supporters in attendance.
“This needs to be a leadership district. It’s the sixth largest in our state. Anytime you can help education we’re here to do so,” Tressel said.
The proposed school levy failed in May.
Failure in August will mean $4 million in cuts, according to district officials.
Not everyone, though, wants to spend more money to support the school district.
Terry Jones held a sign that said, “NO TO ISSUE 2” at Sunday’s rally.
Jones said he has his own bills to pay, in his own home. He called this a scare tactic on the side of the district.
“That’s a history with this district. They’ll try for levies. If it fails in the first couple of tries, they threaten things to cut,” Jones said.
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Reader Reactions
I simply can’t believe these idiots (i.e. those voters who were against this levy) would actually nurture the dying dream of of education.
Attended school in a neighboring state, never heard of a school levy until moving to OH and raising kids in SWCS district. The way OH distributes funds to school districts is outdated and/or inconsistent. It should be based on driver license renewal in the county/district. Many other states have this method, which evenly distributes cost between all citizens and has zero affect on home values. I love living here, but our legislators have it completely backwards. School districts across the state have the same issues we face in SWCS and what do they do? Every 3-5 years they pose a levy…..
I’m really not informed enough to know about how the State of Ohio counts the school time, so you may be right. I just think that if this levy doesn’t pass it will be time for us to consider other drastic measures. I’m afraid that for many people this levy has become symbolic of citizens across the USA who feel that they are not being heard by those who were voted in to represent them. I know whole-heartedly where they are coming from, but don’t think that this election is where we should take a hardline stance. The price of everything else has gone up, the price of educating our children has too. I just hope that this issure doesn’t pay the price for an evergrowing sentiment that people are overtaxed and underheard.
It’s my understanding that the State of Ohio only counts days in school not hours so right now schools in Ohio cannot do this. It’s another one for our legislators!
Why don’t we consider something other district across the USA have done when facing similar situations? Go to a 4 day school week. Add an hour onto each day, and while still leaves us lacking a few hours per week, with the elimination of study halls, recesses etc it should be about the same. This saves big on busing salaries, gas, lunch costs, utilities and much much more. That way, the extracurriculars stay. I don’t believe I’ve heard this suggestion come up before, but I think it is worth checking into.
If you think that administrators salaries is the problem in SWCS, I wouldn’t expect you to see the need for this levy. Our children are our future. Our property values and our children’s futures are on the line and it seems no one cares.
Hey Stemp,
Your spelling is what scares me. Our children need this levy so that they won’t grow up and speak/type like you. Seriously.
Why didn’t the board take measures to reduce spending before a couple of years ago? Why weren’t they proactive? Could it be because they were counting on the hard working property owners in this district to fall for their threats and promises yet again and pass another levy? Look, you can only manipulate people for so long before we stand up and call you out for the lousy job you are doing. If anyone really believes that this board has tried their hardest, I’m sorry to say that you have been fooled.
As far as my education, I was not educated in SWCS. My early education was in a school district that was bare bones. I pushed myself to achieve and as a result gained an excellent education and future. My parents and myself took responsibility for my education. This can be done!
My problem with SWCS arises with their history. Everyone, look at the history of this board and district. You will find that they are only “responsible” when they think someone is watching!
cost saving measures have been taken all along. the district has cut millions of dollars from their budget in the past couple of years. quality programs have gone by the wayside because the money wasn’t there to fund them. And, no, I’m not an administrator, just someone who cares about grove city. I’m not saying you are stupid. I’m sure you are an educated person. did you get that education in SWCS? Were you prepared for college and/or the work world? SWCS prepared you for that and that is what they are trying to do now. All I ask is that before voters vote no, they take the time to learn how ohio school funding works and realize it is that system that is flawed. the district has to work within that system so that is why they keep asking for levies. And, take some time to look at how the district is spending their money. It is public record. I think you will realize that the district is fiscally responsible and doing all they can with limited funds. And, about administrators salaries….the district has to be competitive with other districts in order to get quality people working for them. That means paying similar salaries. If you think all administrators make too much money, then that is your opinion, but saying this district pays too much is unfair. they must remain competitive.
All I ask is that people take the time to learn about the district’s financial situation and then decide on your vote. I think you’ll be surprised.
Well…gcfriend…since you seem to have the SWCS board’s rhetoric down pat, perhaps you can enlighten us all about why cost savings measures have not been taken all along? What is the reason, for example, for the outrageous salaries of the administration in what is clearly a bottom of the barrel academic school district? Are YOU in administration perhaps?! Forgive my sarcasm, but honestly, I am so sick of the excuses for the embarrassing fiscal state of this district that pours out of the supporters of the levy. If we could honestly see any improvement in this district then maybe we could all begin to trust what we’re being told. But it is business as usual. Now I’m speaking to like-minded voters as myself. You see that when we question what we’re being told, that we are told that we are just too stupid, clueless, mean-spirited, selfish, etc…. to get the real picture. Let’s all show them that no matter what they think of us, we do understand what is happening. It’s the same thing that has happened before, and unless stopped, this will be a continuing refrain for years to come. Is anyone else out there tired of the same old song and dance from this board? Then GET OUT AND VOTE NO!!! Do not stay home and hope that someone else will vote this down-we need you.
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