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Canfield school board acknowledges facilities priority but gives no firm levy timeline after public warning
Summary
A resident urged quicker action on a potential school levy and ballot timeline; the board said facilities upgrades are a top priority but said fundraising and planning are still under way and no ballot measure was set.
Jason Henry, a Canfield resident, warned the Canfield Local School District Board of Education on Sept. 10 that the timeline to get a facilities levy on a May ballot is already tight and that the board needs an updated plan on fundraising and ballot preparations.
The warning prompted the board to reiterate that upgrading district facilities is a top priority but said substantial fundraising and planning remain required before placing a proposal before voters. Board members did not set a levy date at the meeting.
"If you're looking at the May election ... you're filing deadlines in 5 months because that election in May is in 8 months," Jason Henry told the board, urging earlier movement on fundraising and public education about any proposal. He said preparation should start immediately after the then-current election to allow time for fundraising and voter outreach.
Board President Radaway acknowledged the district's time sensitivity and said the facilities committee is working to develop a plan that would be feasible for voters. "We know it's time sensitive. Whether or not we're gonna hit certain milestones is to be determined, but it's something from an action perspective we have to take and act on sooner than later," Radaway said.
Superintendent Noel told the board that facilities work requires funds beyond school revenue and that proposed projects must be supported by independent fundraising. That constraint, he said, affects the committee's ability to bring a ballot-ready plan to voters quickly.
No formal action to place a levy on a ballot was taken at the meeting. Board members said fundraising capability and feasibility for voters remain open issues; they emphasized the desire to avoid returning to the drawing board after an unsuccessful campaign.
The board scheduled a special meeting for Sept. 30 (noon) to address appropriation matters and other time-sensitive items; no levy resolution or ballot language was presented at the Sept. 10 session.
The facilities topic also was listed under "old business" so the board can provide follow-up at future meetings; no additional votes or binding commitments were recorded on Sept. 10.
Community members and trustees will likely continue to press for clearer timelines and fundraising plans ahead of any decision to place a facilities measure on a ballot.
