Superintendent Outlines Need for New Levy (VIDEO)

On May 7, voters will cast ballots on a proposed 2.4-mill permanent improvement levy that would generate roughly $1.5 million per year for the North Canton City Schools district. 

If Issue 18 passes, the new revenue would be evenly spent on bolstering security, replacing an aging fleet of buses and catching up on overdue building maintenance, said North Canton schools Superintendent Michael Hartenstein during a small press conference on Monday. 

Funds would also be used to update the school system's high volume of obsolete classroom computers and outdated learning materials, he said.

By law, none of the revenue would fund the salaries of teachers, administrators or school staff.

Hartenstein said the need for the new levy stems from the fact that the district doesn't have a permanent improvement fund, and that the money pulled from the general fund on improvements has "dwindled significantly" — from $2 million in 2003 to roughly $550,000 in 2013 — due in part to state funding cuts, he said.

Issue 18 would cost homeowners $73.68 for every $100,000 in property valuation; and since it's a proposed continuing levy, it would not expire if passed by voters this spring. 

Watch the video above and add your comments in the section below on whether voters should pass Issue 18.