Canfield superintendent warns pending state bills could cost district $4.7 million; board approves personnel, grants and transportation changes

CANFIELD, Ohio — Superintendent Noel told the Canfield Local Board of Education on July 9 that recent changes in the Ohio budget (House Bill 96) and a separate proposal moving through the state House could sharply reduce local school revenues and called on residents to contact state lawmakers before a scheduled July 21 vote. "It will cost Canfield hugely, up to the tune of $4,700,000," Noel said, referring to a proposal to eliminate inside millage.

Why it matters: The superintendent said several governor line-item vetoes that protect school-district fiscal flexibility are at risk of being overridden in Columbus. If inside millage were removed and limits placed on cash carryover or on emergency/substitute levies, Canfield officials say the district would likely need to seek new voter levies or shift general-fund resources to cover ongoing expenses.

Noel summarized recent action on the 2025 state budget and subsequent activity in the Ohio House. He said Governor Mike DeWine signed the budget bill (House Bill 96) but issued multiple line-item vetoes affecting education funding and levy rules; House members have scheduled a July 21 session to consider overriding several of those vetoes. Noel urged residents to contact local representatives, naming Fisher and McNally as local House members, and to tell them not to override the vetoes. "The governor did us right when it comes to public education, and those overrides need to stand," Noel said.

Noel outlined three specific threats he said could be restored if the House overrides the governor: restoring county budget-commission authority to alter levy amounts, reinstating a 20-mill floor provision for some levies, and limiting districts' ability to carry cash balances (the governor vetoed a 40% cap). He also referenced separate, advancing legislation (referred to in the meeting as House Bill/House Floor 335) that he said would eliminate inside millage; Noel said that change alone could cost Canfield about $4.7 million. He warned the district and municipalities that collect inside millage would be affected.

Noel said Canfield is not projected to suffer a large loss under the new fair-school-funding formula simulations the district has seen so far and that, because Canfield is a "guaranteed" district, the district does not expect dramatic reductions in state funding in the near term. He also said the budget’s performance funding will likely add "about $313,000 each year over the next two years" because Canfield is a five-star district on the state report card.

Financial and operational items approved: At the meeting the board approved several routine and operational measures. The board unanimously approved minutes of the June 11 regular meeting and the June 30 special meeting (motion by DeMilo; second by Campbell; roll call: Dr. Alquist — yes; Campbell — yes; DeMilo — yes; DeCaprio — yes). The board accepted the treasurer’s May reports showing a general-fund balance of approximately $20,000,000 and noted that federal-grant deficits on the May report were settled in June (motion by Alquist; second Campbell; roll call: Dr. Alquist — yes; Campbell — yes; DeMilo — yes; DeCaprio — yes).

Personnel, grants and transportation: The board approved personnel actions that included new hires, transfers and a three-year contract for a public relations and communications specialist, Lisa Rakoski, at $65,000 annually (motion by DeMilo; second Campbell; roll call: Dr. Alquist — yes; Campbell — yes; DeMilo — yes; DeCaprio — yes). The board voted to file fiscal-year 2026 program applications for IDEA and Title I (the amounts were listed as placeholders and officials said final federal allocations remain in flux) (motion by Campbell; second Dr. Alquist; roll call: Dr. Alquist — yes; Campbell — yes; DeMilo — yes; DeCaprio — yes). Treasurer Prince said the district has committed staffing tied to those grants and that any shortfall would flow to the general fund.

Transportation items included approval of the district’s bus stops for the coming year and an amended resolution (1-57-2025) declaring transportation impractical for certain students (listed in exhibit materials), a routine step used to document exceptions to standard transportation (motion to approve bus stops by DeMilo; second — recorded; roll call: Dr. Alquist — yes; Campbell — yes; DeMilo — yes; DeCaprio — yes; motion to amend resolution 1-57-2025 by Campbell; second DeMilo; roll call: Dr. Alquist — yes; Campbell — yes; DeMilo — yes; DeCaprio — yes).

Trips, donations and other approvals: The board approved an out-of-state, overnight field trip for the Canfield speech-and-debate team to Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, in February for the 3 Rivers Tournament (motion and roll call recorded). The board accepted cash and in-kind donations totaling $47,249.23, including $45,000 from the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley to the Canfield Education Innovation Fund and $400 to a memorial arts fund; the board directed those funds for teacher and program use.

District capital and operating notes: In his remarks Noel also reviewed recent and planned capital spending and maintenance: roughly $80,000 spent to repair leaking roofs at the middle school, a parking-lot Phase 2 cost of approximately $543,000 to be completed soon, and a booster-led scoreboard project estimated at $250,000 with about $190,000 pledged so far. Noel described two professional-development days added to the school calendar (a December and a March date) and reminded families about the district’s shift to FinalForms for fall registration.

What’s next: Noel asked the community to contact state representatives before the House session scheduled for July 21 to oppose overrides of the governor’s vetoes that he said would weaken district finances. The board’s next regular meeting will include a treasurer-led biennium budget update and Q&A session on Aug. 13 at 5 p.m., the superintendent said.

Votes at a glance: minutes (approved), treasurer’s May reports (approved), personnel package including Lisa Rakoski contract (approved), IDEA and Title I application filings (approved; amounts placeholder), bus stops (approved), amended transportation-impractical resolution 1-57-2025 (approved), out-of-state speech/debate trip (approved), donations totaling $47,249.23 (accepted).