3.5-mill Woodmore levy would fund improvements

10/8/2008

WOODVILLE - The Woodmore Local School District is seeking approval for a 3.5-mill levy that would provide additional funds for permanent improvements.

The levy would replace a 1-mill permanent improvement levy and an expiring bond issue that has been collected at 2.6 mills. Approval would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $107.19 annually, or $5.38 more than now collected, Sandusky County Auditor Bill Farrell said.

District Superintendent Jane Garling said more funds are needed for building repairs and equipment upgrades. She said Woodmore Elementary School, built in 1923, needs "major repairs."

"We have leaking," she said. "We've had flooding several times over the years."

The district's stock of computers is out of date as well, with many eight years old or older.

Several buses in the district's fleet also need to be replaced, she said. Last year the district borrowed a bus from Genoa Area Local Schools, when one of its was being repaired.

"State funding is dwindling and we got more unfunded mandates," she said. "It's just killing us." Ms. Garling said rising fuel prices have compounded funding problems for the district.