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United treasurer favors renewal of permanent improvement levy

HANOVERTON — The United school board last week tabled discussion on a future permanent improvement renewal levy until the full board could meet, possibly during a work session specifically for the topic.

According to school treasurer Melissa Baker, the deadline to place the levy on the November ballot is in August, but noted she wants to get it taken care of early to ensure everything is in place. The current levy, last renewed in November 2014, expires at the end of 2019. November is the earliest the school board can attempt a renewal, Baker said.

Baker said there are a number of options for the board to explore regarding the levy, but suggested a renewal with a continuing length.

At the time of its renewal in 2014, the five-year, 3-mill levy generated $182,500 annually and residents were able to retain their Homestead and Rollback exemptions.

Funds generated by the levy are used for longterm projects such as building improvements, exterior lighting, vehicle purchases, technology upgrades and textbooks. The money cannot be used for salaries or benefits.

The board tabled the issue due to the absence of board member RuthAnn Rinto.

In other business, the board granted permission to Transportation Director Mike Greenawalt to spend $15,010 for repair and upgrade to the department’s bus lift, which Greenawalt said is no longer in use due to a lack of control of the hydraulics.

Greenawalt said the department would use the lift every day if working properly, but noted it is not cost effective to buy a new one. He said he will have the project completed as soon as possible.

Baker and Superintendent Lance Hostetler said they decided to bring the purchase before the board instead of waiting for next year’s Management, Goals and Objectives due to the urgency of the project.

Also at the meeting, the board approved a new course, “introduction to probability and statistics,” which will provide a course between advanced algebra II and calculus to allow students who have been in the advanced track but may not be ready for calculus to have another option to meet graduation requirements of four units of math, according to high school principal Bill Young.

The course will provide an introduction to probability and statistics with applications. Topics will include basic combinatorics, random variables, probability distributions, Bayesian inference, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals and linear regression.

The board also approved participation in Kent State’s College Credit Plus (CCP) program, which allows secondary school students to enroll in college-level courses and earn credit toward high school graduation.

Board member Denise Rhodes asked that the administration and faculty make a concerted effort to inform students and parents about the opportunity, which can save students thousands of dollars in college tuition, with students having the chance to earn enough credits to enter college as sophomores.

Additionally, the board agreed to continue its inter-district open enrollment policy. Hostetler noted that this year, there are 203 students attending United Local under open enrollment and 91 attending other school districts.

The board also accepted donations of $180 from John and Kathy Phillips to the boys soccer team for team expenses, $460 from various community members to the Ski Club for ski expenses and $40 worth of posters from Dunlap Photography for the drama musical production.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 21 in the high school library.

khowell@salemnews.net

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