The Bruin- October 2011

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Wadsworth High School

Newspaper II/III

October 2011

The

BRUIN

1870 - 2011 Wadsworth City Schools: “Celebrating 141 years of Excellence in Education”

Election Day November 8

Will the levy break? Volume XXXIV No. 2

625 Broad Street Wadsworth, Ohio 44281

$1.00

As November elections approach, school system holds breath as voters head to polls BY HANNAH ADAMS

It has been eight years since the last operating levy was needed. The Board of Education is once again returning to the voters with a modified version after the levy failed during the August election. The last operating levy was passed in February 2003. “Levies typically last five years. We have stretched this levy to eight years,” said Douglas Beeman, Treasurer of Wadsworth City Schools. Operating money, in contrast to a bond issue such as the one used to build the new schools, is money that is used to pay expenses for the operations of a district ranging from utility bills, supply purchases and personnel. Bond issues cannot be used to pay bills for those district operations. More than five million dollars have been cut from the budget in the last two years. Should the levy fail, the Board will have to cut another seven and a half million from operations and services over the next two and a half years in order to remain in the black by June 2014. The Board admits that they tried to keep the August campaign quiet. Attempts were made solely to get “yes” voters to the polls. This resulted in the levy failing 55% to 45%. In contrast, the November campaign has striven to be louder and focused directly on every voter. Other ballot issues and elections of School Board and City Council members are expected to bring voters to the polls as well. The August levy had a price tag of 5.9 mill. After it was rejected by the public, the Board made the decision to put it on the November ballot, though this time it was reduced to 4.9 mill. A

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mill is different from a million. This means that people will pay $150 per year for every $100,000 of home market value or $12.51 per month. In order to understand the science behind the need for a levy, one must dig to the roots of the issue and examine the other factors that play a role in its ability to succeed or not. Operating levy money is used for basic functions around the schools. Teachers use part of the money to replace worn and outdated textbooks. They are supplied with materials and resources to help educate children beyond the standard curriculum. This also includes the ability to maintain, update and replace outdated and faulty technology. This money also allows the schools to keep their lights on and the heat running through the cold Ohio winters. Finally, these funds support the ability to have academic and extracurricular programs. Programs that could possibly be cut if the levy fails include: middle school and freshman athletics, career tech programs, technology classes, world languages, and 5th grade band. A transition to state minimum bussing could also occur. A number of other factors contribute to the ability to pass or fail a levy. This includes circumstances of particular voters. According to the “Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010,” there are 4,083 residents of Wadsworth age 62 and over. That accounts for 18.9% of the population. Many of these people, on fixed incomes, may be less apt to vote for the levy. There are also individuals that simply cannot afford an extra

the

levy during this time of economic unrest. “About 20% of our student population is at the poverty level,” said Beeman. The administration and School Board encourage the voters to separate fact from fiction this election day. Checking sources are simple ways to preventing false information.

PHOTO BY HANNAH ADAMS

School buses could soon be unavailable to high school students if the levy does not pass and state minimum busing is implemented.

Two-hour delay in deliberation

BY ALYSSA KEIPER

Facing what is forecasted to be one of the most devastating winters ever, Wadsworth City Schools is looking for an alternative to traditional calamity days. The administration is considering delaying the school day by two hours. According to AccuWeather. com’s report, “Winter 20112012: Brutal for the Midwest, Great Lakes,” Northeast Ohio will be experiencing one of the worst winters in recent history. Record breaking low temperatures from Arctic air are

predicted to blast over the Great Lakes region. In addition to bitterly cold temperatures, Northeast Ohio can expect above-average levels of snowfall throughout this winter. Some of the hardest hitting storms are predicted to coincide with the coldest blasts of air. Perhaps the most compelling reason to consider a two-hour delay is the prediction that this winter will also last longer than normal. It has been predicted that this winter will last beyond February into early spring. “We have not done a two hour delay in the past because our

GRAPH COURTESY OF NCES

district has not encountered the need for make-up days. With a pending forecast of another long winter, we decided to explore this option,” said Mr. Dale Fortner, superintendent of WCS. With only five state-allowed calamity days a year, WCS is looking for a remedy other than a full snow-day. By using twohour delays, the city has more time to plow streets and ensure safe conditions before students trek to school. “If we have delays, we will not have to cancel school if the roads can be fixed within two hours. It is also safer because we will not be going to school when it is still icy,” said Stephanie Gains, 9. These school days would end at the normal time with students undergoing an abbreviated schedule. “All of the teachers’ lessons could still be done so students do not have to rush through their work at the end of the year,” said Caleb Amposta, 11. If a two-hour delay is enacted, buses will follow their normal, everyday routes. It is simple, busing would only be delayed by two hours. Parents are only responsible for arranging alternative transportation if Please see Delay on page 10

Bruin:

LOCAL DESTINATIONS STRIKE FEAR

Halloween costume pathfinder

What to expect at haunted houses this fall

Figure out the perfect Halloween costume for you

– page 11

– page 5 SPEAK OUT

Hometown hotspots Discover the truth about your favorite places to eat

– page 14

What has been the most interesting item you have received in your trick or treat bag?

– page 18

index Page News.............................................................3 Opinion......................................................4,5 Ads ...............................................6, 7, 15, 16 Picture Pages..............................................8,9 Features......................................................10 Entertainment............................................. 11 Sports.....................................................12,13 Health.........................................................14 Of the Month...............................................17 Speakout.....................................................18

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