Canfield superintendent warns veto overrides, says budget changes could cost district millions

Canfield Local School District Superintendent (referred to in the transcript as "Mister Noel") told the board on July 9 that Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state budget, House Bill 96, on June 30 but issued 67 line-item vetoes, including several affecting education. He urged community members to contact local lawmakers before a House vote scheduled for July 21 to oppose overrides of those vetoes.

Noel said the governor’s message and the vetoes were intended to prompt broader negotiation on property-tax reform, but he warned that work remains. "The governor signed the budget bill, house bill 96, on Monday, June 30, and he issued 67 line item vetoes," he said, adding that some of the vetoes specifically affect school funding and levy rules.

The superintendent also flagged a separate measure discussed in the House (referred to in the meeting as House Floor 335) that he said would eliminate inside millage, cap carryover and remove the ability to renew certain emergency and substitute levies. Noel told the board the measure, if enacted, could cost Canfield "to the tune of $4,700,000" and would imperil the district’s emergency levy revenue of about $900,000 per year.

Noel walked through how the House and Senate versions compared, saying the senate approach had been the most favorable to Canfield. He said district simulations are still being run but that, so far, Canfield does not expect significant state funding losses from HB 96’s funding formula; the district is likely to receive performance-based dollars (Noel cited an estimated $313,000 per year for two years tied to the district’s five-star rating). Still, he urged residents to make their voices heard to protect local school funding.

Board members and the superintendent discussed what constituents can do: contact local representatives named in the meeting and ask them not to override the governor’s vetoes. Noel emphasized the broader potential consequences of the House measure, saying the district and many municipalities could be affected and urging coordinated outreach: "Support public schools. Support public education."

What happens next: Noel asked residents and school supporters to contact local House members ahead of the July 21 session. The board did not take a formal vote on an advocacy motion during the meeting; the superintendent treated the update as informational and as a call to community action.

Speakers quoted or relied on in this article are taken from the board meeting transcript and include the superintendent ("Mister Noel").