Lakemore Council member urges support for Springfield
school district
To the editor:
On Oct. 2, I missed my first Council meeting. My son James Fast, who is 5 and attends Boyer Kindergarten, had fallen and cut his head open. He is fine now.
During my absence from the meeting, I missed [Springfield Local School District Superintendent Jerome] Pecko’s presentation before Council. Council had the opportunity to show support for the school system, but that failed. I have been informed that two council members abstained from voting, giving the vote total a 3-2 count, which is a failure.
This is a severe black eye to Springfield Schools. One of our members is a retired school teacher and the other works for a major university. Both should have knowledge on the importance of how schools are funded.
To make matters worse, Lakemore receives a sizeable amount of tax revenue from the school district, so not supporting this also will impede our ability to fund projects.
These members should have voted yes on the resolution to show support, then in November, voted against the levy in the polls. Monday’s vote had nothing to do with the General Election. It was just Lakemore’s way of saying we support our schools. I do not want higher taxes anymore either, but I owe it to my boys, John, Jordan and James, to give them every possible opportunity to succeed. Ohio’s lack of interest in our young people is disturbing. We excel at chasing educated people away and losing jobs. Maybe if our education funding was not a joke, graduates would stay and start businesses and create jobs here. Just think of this — just because the politicians in Columbus hate Ohio’s children does not mean that we should follow their lead.
Think of your children, grandchildren and the staff of Springfield Schools. The only logical choice is a yes for the levy.
John Fast, Lakemore Village Council member
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