JOINT FAIRVIEW PARK SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 31, 2003

This report is based on objective observations by members of the League of Women Voters - Cuyahoga Regional Area, Fairview Park Unit.  It contains selected highlights and explanations from the above identified meeting.   For comprehensive minutes of this  meeting contact the School Board office at 440-331-5500. 

The meeting was called by the School Board to discuss areas of common interest.  The schools were represented by all School Board members, the Assistant Superintendent and the Treasurer.  The City was represented by the Mayor, Finance Director, and all Council members with the exception of Mrs. Minek.  21 members of the community were also in attendance.

School Board President Mr. Richard opened the meeting by calling attention to the perilous financial condition of the Fairview Park School District.  The condition has developed because of decreased revenues and escalating costs.  Property tax collections have been down, state funding is not what was anticipated and may shrink further.

Even though $500,00 has been cut from the budget in the past year a $1,700,000 deficit is anticipated for the upcoming school year.  Without an increase in funding that deficit is projected to increase to $5,730,597 the following year and reach $16,706,379 by the end of the 2007 school year. 

Mr. Richard went over the cuts that are being considered for the upcoming school year.  One Councilman reported he has already received numerous calls about the possible closing of the high school pool. 

Mr. Richard indicated the Board has not come to consensus on the type of issue to put before the community.  The School Income Tax is more favorable to schools because of the built in growth factor.  Many oppose any increase in the property tax.  30% of the residents have indicated they will not favor any school issue.  As 1 mill of property tax yields about $300,000 in Fairview Park it would require a 7 mill increase just to sustain the school system with the projected cuts.

There was discussion over the inclusion of funds for permanent improvements in the Income Tax Issue that was defeated in May.  It is possible people didn't understand the permanent improvement portion of the issue.  However, no one seems to dispute that our buildings are substandard.

Council President Needham favors a property tax because the idea of a school income tax is new and people are not used to us.  He suggested introducing the income tax later when a levy is up for renewal.   Mr. Needham clarified that the City has no plans to put a separate issue on the ballot while the school funding problem is being addressed.

Ward 1 Councilman Cooney suggested a bond issue for buildings be considered.  He pointed out it is cheap to borrow money now and that might not always be so.  Board Member Kullik indicated we have to work toward stability.  We need teachers for the buildings.  However there may be things the city and schools can do together.  We have to decide if we want to be a minimum standard school district.  We passed the last levy because the city and schools worked together.

Mayor Patton in her remarks affirmed her support of the Fairview Park Schools and defended her opposition to the School Income Tax.  She stated 75 to 85% of Municipal Services are supported by the City Income Tax.  Our rate of 1½% is one of the lowest in the county.  She added that our current income tax collection is down.  The City has also made cuts and is understaffed.

The Mayor had two suggestions.  One was that an organized group take on the Westgate tax issue which is costing the schools one million dollars a year in lost property taxes.  Her other suggestion was that now is the time to consider shared facilities between the city and schools.  She believes people are not going to vote for something they cannot see. 

Councilman Westfall asked that the Council President put School Funding on the Council Agenda so that discussion in Council Committee would be possible.  It was clarified that a School Board Member could not be a part of a Committee but could observe.

The School Treasurer indicated a ballot issue for the November 4 election would need to be submitted to the Board of Elections during the first week in August.

The meeting closed with  the viewing of a short video on the joint city-school building project undertaken by the city of Independence.  The video was provided by Mayor Patton.