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Levy targeted for existing programs Use tax to meet expected needs, Ashland panel says By TONY BOOM ASHLAND � A small amount of money from the town�s Youth Activities Levy will be available for new programs, but the bulk of the estimated $1.7 million total for next year should support programs already in place, an oversight committee says. Recommendations, including 3.5 percent inflationary adjustments for all current funding, will probably be presented to the Ashland School Board at its April 9 meeting. Voters approved the levy in May 2000, and similar requests in 1993 and 1997, to offset school funding shortfalls caused by state property tax limits. Most of the money raised by the city levy is passed to the school district for extracurricular activities. Although the levy was created in 1993, this is the first year a committee has made spending recommendations to the school district. Concerns raised during the levy campaign last spring that allocations favored athletics over other activities prompted the city to form the committee. "There are students at the schools who ... don�t participate in activities or athletic events sponsored by the levy," said Chuck Keil, oversight committee chair. "We will work with the school district to channel discretionary money we hope will be attractive to these students." Keil said that tax receipts will exceed the cost of current programs by up to $40,000. The committee will recommend the first $30,000 be used for art and under-represented students, and the next $10,000 for club sports that have seen "explosive growth." The levy is expected to bring in $1,694,000 this fiscal year. Estelle Voeller, the mother of a high school student who has not participated in any levy-sponsored activities, attended the committee meetings. She named several programs that receive little or no funding but that could attract more students, such as a program that trains high school students to serve as peer counselors, the Community Bike Program and the Environmental Club. She�d also like to see industrial arts activities offered. "The established programs � football, volleyball, debate � are still fully funded, but we felt the arts are relatively underfunded," said committee member Craig Mather. "The committee acknowledge that the community supports football." Mather said actual tax collections and the final state school allocations by the Legislature for next year could alter the committee�s suggestions. "Theoretically if (state funds are) cut significantly then there could be a debate about the youth levy funds," said Mather. "The big picture is that we need to educate our kids." While the school board can�t use levy funds for specific education, such as algebra or English, it could be "very creative" about how the money is used, said Mather. He notes the levy currently funds music and physical education at the elementary level. At middle schools, second-language instruction is offered as a before-school activity. High school athletics got the largest chunk of levy funding this year � $485,000. Music and physical education at the elementary level received $375,000. Grounds and facilities maintenance got $286,000, while middle-school athletics got $135,000. There was $66,000 for second-language activities, $32,000 for resident outdoor school and $24,000 for high school debate. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.