Auroraadvocate.com - Council reps lend support to school levy

by Brent Hovey

Reporter

Aurora -- The city of Aurora has thrown its support behind the school district's 6-mill combined levy, which is on the Nov. 6 ballot.

City Council approved an endorsement of support for the levy at its Oct. 22 meeting.

Mayor Lynn McGill, who has been a supporter of the levy from day one, said it is time to "stand tall" and support the schools.

"The levy will ensure our schools will have adequate funding to maintain their excellent rating," he said. "Passage of the levy is critical to us all."

The endorsement was passed 8-1. Only Ward 1 representative Jim Vaca voted against it.

Many Councilmen spoke up as to why they wanted to publicly and officially support the school levy.

"If one believes in education, property values and success, you have to vote positively for the school levy," said Ward 6 Councilman Tom Dreher.

"Since I moved here in 1984, my property has increased 2 1/2 times the market value it was then. That didn't happen because people just decided to move to Aurora for the sake of moving here. The schools attracted them here."

Ward 4 representative George Horvat knew the district needs the levy after he went on a recent tour of the schools.

"There are teachers moving from classroom to classroom on carts since they don't have a real room," he said.

"The high school is breaking out from its eams. This is something we need."

Vaca said he isn't against the levy, he is just opposed to Council endorsing it.

"I feel we shouldn't endorse a money issue. It's not fair to our constituents. I voted no because we're servants to our constituents and we shouldn't endorse a money issue between two entities."

Ward 2 rep Dennis Kovach knows the schools well, having formerly been girls athletic director and trainer.

"It's the kids that are important," he said. "If you worked as closely with them as I have, you'd see this is a very important issue."

E-mail: bhovey@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3115