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Taking a spin around the new facility with
Woodward Principal Emilio Ramirez, Pecko spoke glowingly of
the area’s new schools and of the challenges facing the
fiscally-troubled district.
“I’m really looking forward to this,” he said
of his new job. “The district has a lot of bright spots in
terms of facilities and academics. The challenge is to
continue to make improvements in academics and in budget
matters.”
Pecko also spoke at length of how troubled he
is about two aspects of the recent budget cuts the
administration and school board were forced to make in order
to close the deficit – transportation and athletics.
The cuts to transportation will save the
district about $2.6 million annually and those to athletics
will save about $884,000.
“Transportation is a large concern of mine,”
he said during the Woodward stopover. “Students in K through
eight will not be transported if they live within two miles
of their schools. The way they will get to school, we will
worry about that.”
He also expressed his concerns about the loss
of athletics programs and the loss of opportunity for the
district students.
Pecko noted that the district will have an
opportunity to take a second look at those cuts if the
November school levy issue is passed by voters. At that
time, voters will be asked to pass a measure that will raise
about $22 million – the largest levy of additional money
ever approved. On a house worth $100,000, that would add
$199 to the annual property taxes.
But the November levy comes hard on the heels
of a failed May income-tax request that was defeated during
the primary by a two to one margin.
Even if the voters approve the November levy,
said Pecko, the board and administration will still have to
deal with a deficit in the $11 million range. He will still
advocate restoring the transportation and athletics
programs.
“If the November levy passes, I would
recommend restoring transportation and I see no reason not
to jump back into the spring sports programs.”
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