10/15/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes 10/15/2002 has come to this. It could rip a community apart. The sad thing is, until something is done at the state level, there is no other way to correct the school funding issue. This attempt in North Olmsted will not fix it-we'll lose good families, good teachers, good administrators to the districts that are willing to pay. Marilyn Ransom, 26837 Leenders Lane, is a senior citizen and is wearing a button that says "Vote No." She has lived here over 35 years and has many friends who are senior citizens who always support the school system. She sympathizes with those who cannot afford it, and she urges them to get behind the tax deferment plan suggested by Sally Kilbane. She commends the Council for caring for the whole community. We all need to stand together to make a strong community. Democracy is a privilege and a responsibility. We need to pay for our rights. Free education for our children is a wonderful privilege, and our school system is doing a very good job. She urges Council to vote yes on this resolution before them. John Lasko, 27834 Sanders Lane, through the 19 years he has lived here and has been raising his family of six children, he and his wife have had the belief and understanding of the underlying strength of the community. That strength is measured not only in buildings but in the educational foundation that is provided for children by families and schools. On November 5, the willingness of the community to make the education of children a priority will serve as an example not only to our children but also as a reflection on ow character. He commends Council's willingness to speak out in favor or families, schools and community. It is time for all to move forward and not backward. Jerome Barrett, 24125 LeBern Drive, had a question if the resolution before Council was for all families or just those with school children. That may have been answered by Mr. Dailey. There are certain things which elected officials shouldn't get involved in-would urge the Council not to take a side one way or another. He thinks the resolution is wrong. Tim Kerney, 6083 Timber Trails Drive, lived here 17 years and has two children in the school system. He wants to know why the schools have $10 million in the bank. Money was given to the school system for education. Why is it sitting in the bank? He thinks it's wrong. He works for the largest private employer in Cleveland, and he got a 2% raise this year. The future projections should be thrown out. Past years' history is the best indicator of future years' performance. To determine what spending will be done in the school system, look at the past years' experience. The averages do match up with what Mr. Pangrac has said. He has seen the spread sheets. He would challenge the Council to seriously consider the issue after they have reviewed the facts. ^ Ann Whitney, 4540 Carsten Lane, said a representative of the Issue 8 group came to her door in September looking for support to put it on the ballot. He could not say enough about the wonderful education that his Four children received in the schools in the past 7 to 10 years. In the past 7 to 10 years, there has been inflation. Her children 18