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Board reviews finances, approves levy resolution and hears public outcry over open‑enrollment denials and alleged fund misuse
Summary
Trustee and administration discussion of the June financial report covered a $45,000 settlement, legal fees and monthly health insurance payments; the board approved forwarding a renewal levy to the November 2026 ballot. Public commenters urged the board to reconsider open‑enrollment denials and accused past administrators of misusing permanent improvement funds.
The board spent significant time on financial matters July 15, approving the treasurer’s consent agenda (including the June financial report) and voting to proceed with a renewal levy for the November 2026 ballot.
Interim Treasurer Ira Hammond explained a recent out‑of‑court settlement totaling $45,000 with a former treasurer (Christie Stoyko), saying the district’s insurer covered roughly half. Board members raised concerns about cumulative legal fees, and the treasurer clarified that a large June check to the Stark County Council of Governments is the monthly self‑insured health insurance payment; the administration estimated annual health costs of roughly $13 million and explained employees cover about 15% of premiums with the district covering the rest.
Hammond presented a recommendation to proceed with a renewal based on an expiring levy, noting a millage around 3.14–3.17 (after rollbacks) and explaining the homeowner impact: roughly $97 per year for a $100,000 market‑value property after rollback. The board approved placing the renewal on the November ballot and staff described next steps for ballot wording and legal consultation.
Public comments earlier in the meeting raised separate but related financial concerns. Kevin Clark alleged prior misuse of permanent improvement funds on the district field house and urged stricter bidding and oversight, saying project costs had escalated substantially. Several speakers also urged the board to reconsider a new tuition/open‑enrollment approach after families received late denial notices, citing harm to seniors and students engaged in CTE, athletics and other programs.
The board approved an engagement letter with Local Government Services of the state auditor’s office to reconcile cash records dating back to 2023; administrators said LGS’s lower hourly rate would help close long‑standing reconciliation issues.
Next steps: the administration will deliver ballot language and final levy materials to the board of elections by the required deadline; the LGS reconciliation work will proceed to complete prior fiscal‑year reports.
