We all understand the importance of being informed voters. It is for this reason we want to bring your attention to the upcoming library levy. The Stow- Munroe Falls Library Board has approved placing a continuous levy on the ballot. 

There are two reasons the Voters should be concerned about this levy.  Number one is this levy proposes to nearly double the millage tax payers are currently being charged.

The other reason to be concerned is that the Board is also asking for a continuous levy. This means that instead of the Voters being asked to renew the library levy every five years as is currently done,  this new proposed levy will continue year after year until the Board decides to remove it.  It will also automatically increase as your property increases in value.

We all know the traffic into the library has increased since the economic down turn. We also know the State has reduced the Library’s funding for 2010 and possibly 2011. What we don’t know is what may happen beyond that period.

Rather than strap the voters with a continuous  levy that may not be necessary in two years because funding is restored, why not support a renewal of the current 5 year 1 mil levy and ask the library to make some deeper cuts and possibly close for a few days per week. We are quite sure the public could adjust to this temporary schedule until the economy improves.  The library’s signs would have you believe that the facility is in danger of closing all together.  Other information released by the library wants you to think that it will be reduced to a minimal part time operation at best.  We believe this is scare tactics.  No one wants to see the library program stopped, trashed or removed.  We would like to see an effort to live within a tough budget like the rest of us.

Unfortunately the difficult days are not completely realized for the Citizens of Stow and Munroe Falls and burdening your neighbors by supporting this huge tax levy will certainly increase the economic hardship for those already struggling to get by.

Regardless of how you vote:  vote informed.

The Stow city Charter Commission meets every Thursday at 7:00PM in city hall. Resident presence is sorely needed to help with their ideas and information to adequately review the charter and suggest changes where necessary. Consider attending at least one meeting and supporting the charter commission.

Along with other Cities across the United States, Stow too has reduced revenue. The income level of most families has gone down thereby reducing the amount of income taxes the City is collecting. The latest figure puts the City’s revenue from income taxes down about a million dollars. Couple this with the current deficit being paid to operate the new court house and golf course and this really creates some financial problems for the City. There has been some talk of raising the income tax or property tax level to offset the decline in revenues. So far the City has been reluctant to go to these extreme measures but that is because they still have some money in their reserve accounts. That might all change in the beginning of 2011. Now is the time to encourage the Council and Mayor to continue to reduce their spending. Large projects such as the improvement of the Seasons Road area as well as the widening of Hudson Drive should be suspended until the economy improves. Available funds should be focused on the minimal operations of the City and existing infrastructure. The City should discourage unnecessary travel expenses for the Mayor and her staff.   Consideration should be given to possibly halting the Community Improvement Corporation. Their loan program to help recover and expand private businesses out of the City’s treasury has got to stop.

            Some difficult choices have to be made now. This idea of pouring more and more money into economic development and less and less into our city streets, water lines and sewers has got to change. Look around your neighborhoods; have you seen any new improvements?  Two major streets have never even seen city water services while the Mayor and Council continues to dump millions of our tax dollars into a project on Seasons Road that will, at least in the short term, benefit only a few investors.

            If we don’t act today to get the City’s spending under control, you probably will see increased taxes next year. Please try to attend these important budget meetings next week. Let’s show the Mayor and Council that we are concerned about how our tax dollars are being spent.

A Red Herring?

The odd part of the whole thing is that he has used the school district’s attorneys (disguised as the “U-B Corporation” in Cleveland) as the agent for the foundation.  We’re not sure what the Superintendent and the law firm of Ulmer and Berne are up to but we will be watching.  Why must everything in this district be done under the table?

 It begs a lot of questions, Why a 501(c)(4) whose contributions are not tax deductible?  If it is really for the citizens of stow then why not a 501(c)(3) whose contributions are deductible, like B.E.S.T., the committee formed to put artificial turf on the football field, or the Band Boosters or the PTA?   Who paid the filing fees and attorney fees (Ulmer Berne)? Who is going to appoint the Board for this foundation, the School? It also seems strange because Russ Jones is not a Stow citizen and this is the type of organization that a citizen would start. Something does not smell very good here in suburbia.

Click here to see the forms filed with the Secretary of State                 Click here to see an IRS definition

Warner Mendenhall, Attorney at Law

190 North Union Street, Suite 201,  Akron, Ohio 44304 330.535.9160

December 8, 2009                                                                                   Dr.RussJones,  Superintendent                                                                     Stow-Munroe Falls Schools                                                          4350 Allen Road                                                                               Stow, OH 44224

Dear Superintendent Jones,

My client Donald Bettio has determined that the Stow Munroe Falls School District has paid twice for the same legal services. Additionally, the School Board apparently paid for legal representation before the Ohio Elections Commission when it had no business before the Ohio Elections Commission.  My client suspects that Attorneys Adam Miller and Donald McTigue were paid by the school district for work they performed for the Stow Munroe Falls School District Levy Committee. These payments are contained within Ulmer and Berne Invoice #1959251.

I have attached the relevant records of the double payment and payments related to work before the Ohio Elections Commission.

My client is of the opinion that there may have been an improper use of taxpayer funds and has requested that I begin the process of instituting a taxpayer lawsuit.

Before doing so, I want to give you a chance to address these issues. Please respond in writing.

Sincerely, Warner Mendenhall

See the various copies of each transaction as a PDF here.   You will need a PDF reader such as Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader.

Maybe this will help:

The Board has outlined its first five “consequences” if the levy fails:

1.  Reduce busing to the state minimum level

2.  Reduce the school lunch program in the cafeteria (a federal program)

3.  Close one school building

4.  Reduce the teacher/student ratio (larger classes)

5.  “Pay-to-play” for sports, clubs, etc.

According to records forwarded to us by the Treasurer of the School District, the May 8th forecast for the fiscal year 2008 was off by $900,000.  It is also hard to believe that fiscal year 2012 has gone from a negative $24.7 million dollars in the May forecast to a negative $12.0 million dollars in the October forecast.  This makes us question if we need a levy.  The Board of Education still has no action plan except to ditch the Finance Committee (an extremely valuable check-and-balance tool) and determine how to better sell a levy to the community.  They are quite worried about getting rid of  the Business Manager and screwing up that position rather than paying attention to what really needs their attention.

The school board recently gave the district treasurer a very favorable evaluation. In considering some of the public concerns expressed regarding her performance, we would have asked the treasurer…

- Why are board agendas and meeting minutes consistently posted late?

- Why are meeting minutes inconsistent and not adequate to convey the board’s rationale for voting, as the law requires?

- Why is the five-year forecast not prepared in a timely manner, with only brief opportunity for public (not to mention board) comment or questions? – Why are you consistently late posting meeting information?

- Why is the public unable to reach you directly?

- Why do you have so much trouble complying with public records requests, often consulting lawyers at district expense? Are you not conversant with school law regarding such requests?

- Why are you consistently “unavailable” to the press for comment on district finances?

- Why, when asked any of the above questions, do you always find someone else or some situation to fault? As CFO aren’t you ultimately accountable for the accuracy, legality and transparency of your office and employees?

In considering any additional raises, perks, incentives, etc. as a result of her recent evaluation, perhaps the board should also contemplate a few of the awards the previous treasurer earned for the district. They truly exhibit fiscal efficiency, accountability and accuracy in reporting:

- 2005 Making Your Dollars Count Award (for demonstrating commitment to careful spending, accurate fiscal recording and efficiency) – State Auditor – 2006-07 Meritorious Budget Award (for excellence in the preparation and issuance of its school system budget) – Association of School Business Officials International – Fiscal Year ending 6/2006 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (for achieving the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting) – Government Finance Officers Assoc.

MAYBE SOME ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS ARE CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENT RECEIVED THROUGH THE OHIO OPEN RECORDS ACT:

AGREEMENT CLARIFYING TERMS OF SEPARATION FOR TREASURER CATHERINE M. BULGRIN

WHEREAS there is currently in existence a contract between the South-Western City School District Board of Education (hereinafter “the Board”) and Catherine M. Bulgrin (hereinafter “Ms. Bulgrin”) for the employment of Ms. Bulgrin as Treasurer through December 31, 2007; and

WHEREAS certain issues have arisen which the parties wish to resolve with a minimum of cost, delay, and disruption; and

WHEREAS the parties are desirous of facilitating a smooth transition in the position of Treasurer for the benefit of the District and its students;

IT iS HEREBY AGREED by the Board and Ms. Bulgrin as follows:

1. The Board will continue to pay Ms. Bulgrin at her currently contracted salary rate for the balance of her contract, and will continue to provide insurance coverage and other fringe benefits without change for the balance of her current contract, except as set forth in this Agreement.

2. Ms. Bulgrin will submit her irrevocable resignation from employment in the District effective as of December 31, 2007. Such resignation shall be submitted for the Board’s acceptance at the same time this Agreement is submitted for the Board’s approval, it being understood and agreed that such resignation shall be conditioned upon the Board’s approval of this Agreement..

3. Beginning with the effective date of this Agreement, Ms. Bulgrin will utilize her unused vacation leave until such leave is exhausted. Notwithstanding anything in Ms. Bulgrin’s individual contract or Board policy, no further vacation leave shall be accrued during Ms. Bulgrin’s employment in the District.

4. Upon the exhaustion of her vacation leave, Ms. Bulgrin will utilize sick leave through June 30, 2007. The Board will not make any objection or require any type of verification for the utilization of sick leave during this period.

5 Effective July 1, 2007, or at such earlier time as the District may identify and hire another individual to serve as Treasurer, Ms. Bulgrin will be placed on special assignment to perform such projects as the Board may determine for the balance of her contract term. During this period, Ms. Bulgrin will not report to work in the District offices but will perform her assigned duties from home or another office location of her choosing. It is also agreed that during this period, Ms. Bulgrin will assume the title of Special Assistant to the Treasurer; provided, however, that such change in title will not affect the salary or fringe benefits paid to Ms. Bulgrin.

6. If, at any time following the Board’s approval of this Agreement, Ms. Buigrin should accept. a position with another SERS, STRS, or PERS public employer, the Board’s obligations under its contract with Ms. Bulgrin shall end as of the effective date of such alternate employment; provided, however, that if the base salary earned under such alternate employment through December 31, 2007 is less that the base salary paid in her current position, the Board shall pay the difference to Ms. Buigrin in a lump sum. The projected difference will be paid to Ms. Buigrin in a lump sum within thirty (30) calendar days of the effective date of such alternate employment. Any required adjustment to the difference, based upon the actual difference as of December 31, 2007, will be paid by one party to the other, as appropriate, by January 31, 2008.

7. Ms. Buigrin may continue to use her District e-mail account as long as she remains an employee of the District, subject to any applicable policies relating to employee usage of school computers and networks.

8. The Board agrees that nothing herein shall be construed as an admission of fault or wrongdoing on the part of the Ms. Bulgrin, and M.s. Bulgrin likewise agrees that nothing herein shall be construed as an admission of fault or wrongdoing on the part of the Board. Both parties will exercise all efforts in good faith to refrain from public comment on either the terms of this Agreement or the circumstances giving rise to this Agreement, and will likewise exercise their good-faith efforts to ensure that the underlying purpose of this Agreement is achieved, namely, a smooth transition in the position of Treasurer for the benefit of all concerned.

9. The Board and Ms. Bulgrin hereby release any and all claims they may now have or could have asserted against the other, or the officers, employees, or agents of the other, past or present, arising from or connected with the employment of Ms. Bulgrin in the South-Western City School District. The Board will not exercise its legal option to nonrenew the contract of Ms. Bulgrin.

WHEREFORE the parties, by their own hand or through their designated representatives, have indicated their acceptance of the foregoing terms by affixing their signatures below:

SOUTH-WESTERN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

Here is an example of a teacher’s compensation.  This teacher has 11 years with the school district and a bachelor’s degree:

Contract Salary: $51,364.00

Amount of increase negotiated for ‘07-’08: $1,426.50

Longevity increase for ‘07-’08: $1,581.50

Total increase: $3,008.00

Total % increase for ‘07-’08: 6.22%

Extended time (0 days): -0-

Supplemental Contract: -0-

TOTAL SALARY: $51,364.00

BENEFIT INFORMATION

STRS (State Teacher’s Retirement System) (14% of salary): $7,190.96

Medicare Tax (1.45% of salary): $744.78

Worker’s Comp/Unemployment Insurance: $1,027.28

Life Insurance ($50,000.00 policy): $117.00

Medical/Rx Insurance (family coverage) Board paid: $11,496.24

(Teacher’s ANNUAL premium for Medical/Rx Insurance: $605.16)

Dental Insurance (family coverage) Board paid: $1,482.12

(Teachers ANNUAL premium for dental insurance (family coverage): $1,482.12)

TOTAL BOARD PAID BENEFITS: $22,058.38

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: $73,422.38

1. The Board has hired a “public engagement advisor” to help them “incentivize” the voters of Stow-Munroe Falls School District. We don’t yet know how much money was blown on this contract, but we do intend to find out.

2. From August 1,2007 to June 2008 (the school year) 15,570 days were missed by school system employees. The majority of these days were sick days. This figure also includes “professional days”, and other days that were missed. The vast majority of these days were paid days off. 11,521 substitutes were called in to replace the employees missing work. In many cases, there were not enough substitutes to cover the missing staff. The taxpayers paid for both the missing employee and the substitute. The Board of Education has negotiated away so much money to the unions it is shocking. A private sector business would go bankrupt immediately. Why do we allow this in the public sector? It happens when taxpayers are not aware. The public does not know what these employees are getting through negotiations with their unions.

3. A high school unit principal received a $26,000 raise when promoted to Principal. This raise elevated the new Principal to a pay range higher than the preceding Principal.

4. A high school Principal with no experience was given the job of Human Resource Director at a salary higher than the former H.R. Director who had experience.

The Board had the opportunity to save significantly with both of these positions, but they failed. There were at least 40 applicants for each position, some already loaded with experience, that possibly could have been hired for less.

5. The Assistant Treasurer’s salary went from $41,000 to $51,000. When the Board of Education members were candidates they criticized the raise. But when it came time to hire a replacement they raised the salary even higher to over $58,000.

6. Attempts have been made to offer the school system free services. The Booster Club offered to raise funds to carpet the football stadium with artificial turf. The Superintendant vetoed the idea because he did not want the club raising private monies. We feel that this school district belongs to the taxpayers. We feel that the Superintendant has no right to refuse such offers if they are accepted by the School Board. Why would you want to raise taxes when you can get the services free? Simply because if the field was carpeted with new levy funds, that levy would not expire. The subsequent money could be used to pay for something else.

7. Why would you want to pay an ongoing tax for an all-day kindergarten when it is cheaper to pay a one-time fee for the service and only if you use it? permanent and all  Does the senior citizen on Social Security who lives down the street from you care about a carpeted football field or an all-day kindergarten that they will never use?

We have been told, in letters to the local newspaper, how hard teachers work. Don’t we all? We have also been told by one teacher how she creates “miracles in the classroom every day”. We are told that if you want to see how hard she works, come to her classroom. Don’t we all create miracles in our daily jobs? This smacks of total arrogance and is down-right insulting to anyone who works. Do teachers think they are the only ones who work hard? If she is doing a job and doing it very well, “thank you very much”. That’s all anyone else gets from their boss. It is what you are paid to do.

8. The Treasurer has never written a policy governing the use of time clocks. Why did we pay for this equipment?

It would appear, from the taxpayer’s viewpoint, that the levies asked for by the school district serve only the purpose of giving someone a raise. The private sector businesses can’t do that. Where else can you work and get about 15 weeks a year off, a great pension, and best of all, guaranteed raises? The taxpayer is losing jobs, taking pay cuts, giving up things like sick days, and suffering loss of benefits regarding medical insurance and retirement.

We do not propose the removal of anything the district employees have gained. We only ask that they join the rest of the workforce and accept that taxpayers are quickly running out of money to keep your jobs alive. We don’t propose pay cuts. Just don’t hit us with a raise for you every time we turn around, especially when the economic hole is growing larger.