School Finances

It was recently revealed that the Martins Ferry School District is experiencing financial difficulties, much of which is not of its own doing. A drop in personal property taxes is costing the district some $800,000. That is a painful pill to swallow, but one not totally unexpected. But to incur a $700,000 bill for a slip repair project blindsided district officials. Originally, the state was going to pick up the price tag. That is money the Ferry district could have used to alleviate some of the tax yield shortage. Regardless, we see a bright future for the Ferry school system. It is the state-of-the-art complex in Eastern Ohio, one that will attract more and more students from adjoining districts. It may take some time and creativity, but Superintendent Nick Stankovich and the board of education will get the finances squared away in timely fashion.