Adjustments made to school levy

NEW CUMBERLAND - Every five years, administrators with Hancock County Schools sit down and decide how they are going to use the excess levy that voters have been passing since 1949.

The excess levy, which is up for renewal again on Nov. 9, represents about 16 percent of the school district's total budget and pays for many of the extras that Hancock County residents have come to expect of their schools.

"This is a very important part of the educational system," Superintendent Suzan Smith said. "This levy helps with all the things that the state does not pay for. There are a lot of programs that we wouldn't have without it."

While the levy, if passed, will continue to pay for things such as technology upgrades, building repairs, computer software and autism programs, district officials are anticipating a significant reallocation of funds in at least one category: security improvements.

Specifically, they want to expand the Prevention Resource Officer program by hiring officers for the district's three elementary schools - Allison Elementary in Chester, New Manchester Elementary and Weirton Elementary, currently under construction. The latter, scheduled to be completed in time for the 2014-2015 school year, will unite Broadview, Liberty and Weirton Heights elementary schools under one roof.

"In light of what has happened on a national level, we feel it is important to establish PRO officers in the elementary schools," Smith said. "The need for safety and security in the schools has never been more paramount."

The school district already has PRO officers in the two middle schools and the two high schools, but the program is getting increasingly difficult to fund as state assistance continues to dwindle. By making the PRO program part of the levy, the district would ensure funding for the elementary school officers through 2019.

Smith wants to increase the levy's security allocation from $128,000 to $380,000, an amount that would also cover security technology improvements.

The excess levy generates $7.1 million annually toward the district's $43 million budget. While that amount will stay roughly the same for the next five years, district officials want to reallocate funds for the levy's 14 line items. Such a reallocation reflects both changing needs within the district and changing priorities at the state level, officials said.

In addition to increasing funding for security, district officials are looking at a substantial increase for roof replacements at Oak Glen High School, Weir High School, Weir Middle School and the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center, Smith said. Because of the size of the buildings, the roof work will have to be done in sections.

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Adjustments made to school levy