The Cleveland School District wants to ask the community for more money to bring its facilities up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards. As MPB's Alexis Ware reports, the request comes on the heels of settling a long standing desegregation case.
The Cleveland School Board is examining petitions to see if there's enough interest to put a 3 mill property tax increase to a vote. District officials want the money for improvements for the city's schools. Twenty percent of voters need to sign the petition to override the Board's decision and force a city wide vote.
Sherry Shepard is a parent in the Cleveland School District. She says the school system is not out of money and shouldn't need to raise taxes.
"The district has certified a lie, saying that they do not have the funds to do what they did when they did approve it in a meeting just seven days prior to them approving for the the three mill tax increase. We are insulted we are asking that the cleveland school district be required to follow state law," Shepard says.
Attorney Jamie Jacks represents the school district. She says the schools need the funding to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She says state law allows the board to seek funding from taxpayers.
"The Board is utilizing that statute following the processes. I suppose everybody can have an opinion on where the Board spent the money on the desegregation case, but we are where we are and the buildings need help the ADA issues have to be addressed," Jacks says.
The Board will decide how to proceed on June 30.
