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Ashland grapples with best uses for youth levy fees By Tony Boom ASHLAND � Estelle Voeller would like to see Ashland�s Youth Activities Levy fund industrial arts and special needs student offerings, but she faces competition from already established programs. Broader uses of voter-approved funds are being pursued through a committee established by the city last year to recommend how the Ashland School District allots more than $1.5 million it receives. The levy, first passed in 1993 and renewed in 1997 and 2000, is used to offset shortfalls in school funding resulting from state property tax limitations. It supports extracurricular activities. A small portion goes to the city�s Parks Department. The levy is expected to bring in $1,694,000 in the current fiscal year. "So much of the focus is on competitive activities, so they are not real inclusive," said Voeller, a parent who has attended all the committee meetings. Athletics has received the largest amount in past budgets. But concerns about allocations resulted in the committee�s formation. Committee-adopted guiding principles range from encouraging participation by varied groups to not harming existing successful programs. They will guide the group�s recommendation to the district�s budget committee. "With a limited amount of money, you can�t meet all (the requests)," said Dan Thorndike, an Ashland School Board member who is on the committee. "Then the principles, to the extent that one can protect existing programs, pretty much determine where the funding goes." The committee determined that student involvement was the measure of an activity�s success, said Throndike. For example, club sports allocations were made at $200 per student in this fiscal year. Thorndike noted that committee recommendations go to the district budget committee at the end of January. That group will send recommendations on to the school board, which makes the final determination about how the money is spent. Committee chair Chuck Keil says that 70 percent of students at the high school take part in a levy-supported offering. Keil says the committee will develop a wish list in the event that tax revenues exceed projections. That amount would be rolled into the next fiscal year budget and allow for additions or program expansions. Voter approval of the third levy in May 2000 raised the amount collected for the 2000-2001 fiscal year to allow removal of music and physical education support at elementary schools from the general fund budget. It also provided $25,000 to support club sports, which have grown since the levy�s inception. High school athletics received $485,000 of this year�s allocation. The second largest amount was $375,000 for P.E. and music at the elementary level. Ground and facilities maintenance received $286,000. Middle school athletics received $135,000. Other allocations include $66,000 for second-language activities, $32,000 for a resident outdoor school at the middle school, and $24,000 for high school debate. "I�d like to see ... welding, auto mechanics, hands-on types of classes," said Voeller. "There�s nothing at the elementary and middle school level for kids to (explore) invention and repair." Voeller said she�s heard from parents who would like more opportunities for students in dance and music activities, ceramics and drumming. Existing programs in computer repair and bicycle repair could also be supported through activity levy funds. "I�d love to see more done with snowboarding, ultimate Frisbee, and skateboarding," said Dale Rooklyn, middle school principal and a committee member. "Those activities would be well attended by students." Rooklyn would use additional funds to attract students not involved in any activity. The committee�s next meeting is at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10 at the school district conference room. An evening meeting will also be held during January. The time and date have not yet been set. 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 � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.