10/15/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes 10/15/2002 was all happening in the school system, the Consumer Price Index was increasing at 2.35% for those fow years. There is a major difference between 2.35% and 6%. That's the issue that they bring to the table that, if you continue to have expenses go up at a 6% increase per year and you have a 2% increase in income for citizens, citizens cannot afford the 6% compounded when it gets out to 10 years. It will be horrendously large, and people will not be able to afford a home in this town. Taxes will be so high that people will not come here to live. Right now, we are the third highest effective tax rate community in the Westshore area-Bay Village, Olmsted Falls and North Olmsted. Maria Sharron, asked the Mayor if he was the co-chair of the first levy campaign in May, 2001. Mayor said yes, and he supported the subsequent evetrts of passage. She asked if he currently supports the schools. Mayor said he supports the schools. Regarding the comments by Mr. Pangrac, she wanted to state that overall per pupil costs, North Olmsted is ranked 21 out of 31 districts-that's in the bottom third in the county. Classroom teacher salaries ranked 18 out of 34 districts. That is one below mid-range. She mentioned at the school board meeting that average teacher salaries have increased over the past five yeazs, 2.06% on an average. ^ Heather Collins, 6577 Maplehurst Road, asked that all be accountable. She has lived here 26 years, has no children or grandchildren in North Olmsted Schools but has supported them all along. She is a senior citizen. Where is this going to stop? Eleanor Spyak, wonders if in making the decision, Council has studied the issue from both sides or if they decided like so many have for many years feeling, when they go to the polls that, if they vote against it, they are un-A,merican, against apple pie and Mom and all those good things. There is just another side, another way, to look at the issue. No one is saying they hate children. She has four children and grandchildren. Same of what has gone on, such as name-calling, she hasn't seen anyone sit down and look at both sides of the issue civilly. It is a long time in coming and is time to say no to some school issues. They are doing it in Maple Hts. She is sorry if some don't agree. Thinks it is time they said no to the unions and time that everyone here looked at that too. Roy Garland, 4576 Camellia, executive director of Chamber of Commerce. One of the first questions asked him when somebody is seeking to come to the community is about the school system. One of the things he has heard in the past two months is, What is going on out there with the school system and the group of people that are trying to destroy it?" That really bothers him because he is a former superintendent and also held a treasurer's certificate and a business manager's certificate. He wonders how many people have written to state senators and representatives to try to get funding for the school systems changed. He commends those who have. He hears candidates for governors are talking about raising taxes and messing around with H.B. 920, which may be good, but it always scares him when politicians begin to tinker with school funding. He would ask everybody to go home tonight and write to legislators and look to see who is on the education finance committees. Write to 10 20