Hancock County voters will decide on whether or not to allocate $10,650,000 to in a School Bond Levy in November. While focus may be on a national Harris – Trump race for President, the only local contested race for will be for Sherriff with Dezo Polgar facing Scott Gittings. The School Bond Levy will be on the ballot and it’s vital that Hancock voters know what projects will be funded by that Levy. It’s also important that they realize that the Levy adds a maximum of $45 to their annual tax bill or $3.43 per month. Finance Director Joe Campanelli has indicated those amounts could be lower.
Guided by specific election rules on school bond levies. educators and administrators cannot campaign for your vote. Any funding for the levy must come from outside sources, not school funds. Educators are, however, permitted to answer questions about what projects are contained in the levy.
Informed sources say that two citizens may head up external campaigns on the levy. Former School Superintendent Suzan Smith in the Northern end of Hancock County and Ted Arneault, Sr., former President/CEO of Mountaineer, President of Century Oil & Gas and business entrepreneur, in the Southern end. Both are excellent choices and have lifelong impact and commitment to not only the educational system, but the future of the county.
In an effort to educate the public fully on the levy, HOMETOWN NEWS is soliciting questions from readers about the levy and those questions will be among those we pose to Superintendent Dan Enich at a sit down interview in the near future.
Of interest to those in the Northern end of Hancock County is the “pyrite” problem at Oak Glen Middle School. Built in 2005, the erosion problem has received a SBA Grant tor $975.000, but will require an additional $875.000 to fully correct the issue. That amount is contained in the Levy. Enich said that core samples were done at the time of construction and the Board has investigated litigation against the contractor, but the Statute of limitations has expired.
In coming editions, HOMETOWN NEWS will provide more information regarding the additional school security and safety included in the Levy.
Enich stressed that the Levy has nothing to do with OGHS Ball fields which will completed 100% with or without the Levy.
Stay tuned for more information on the School Levy in Hancock County.
