North Fork schools secures levy renewal

UTICA – The North Fork Local School District renewed a 1 percent income tax levy on Tuesday.

"We just want to say thank you to our voters," said Scott Hartley, district superintendent.

"It's been an interesting year," Hartley said, adding that he was happy voters wanted the district to move forward in a positive direction.

On Tuesday, the Licking County Board of Elections reported that the levy renewal passed by 71 votes.

The 1 percent income tax renewal generates $1.8 million for the district.

"That was to keep us on our feet," Hartley said.

He noted that the first order of business for the district will likely be fixing the roof on the high school.

Tonya Mickley, district treasurer, said the levy money also will be used to fund new teaching positions in the junior high school, as well as an elementary school technology teacher.

The district has struggled to pass levy renewals in the past and only recently climbed its way out of fiscal caution. Financial solutions included cutting 40 staff positions and several student programs.

Right now, the district receives from the state $4,912 per student in the district. That number is the second highest in Licking County, Rep. Scott Ryan said. But because enrollment in the district has remained static, the amount per student has not gone up, putting more pressure on local taxpayers.

Hartley said he was grateful for the renewal because the district will not have to vote to renew again until 2019.

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