1 citizen challenges impending school tax hike

A Fayette County man wants the school superintendent to put his money where his mouth is.

Victor Remeneski was the only person to speak during the School Board’s second of three public hearing sessions about an expected tax hike on Thursday evening.

The retired Northwest Airlines employee challenged Dr. John DeCotis to forsake some of his own salary in the name of helping to ease the school system’s financial crunch.

“He makes $180,000 a year,” Remeneski said. “That’s more than the governor of the state makes. Give me a break.”

DeCotis and Remeneski spoke privately following the meeting.

“I’ve worked for the airlines all my life,” Remeneski said, “so I know what it’s like to take a pay cut.”

DeCotis left Thursday night’s meeting before he could be asked to comment.

The school board will meet again for a final public hearing Aug. 28 before taking a vote. The board is expected to approve an increase in the millage rate from 18.596 mills to 19.75. The increases are the result of recent state budget cuts.

In other news, the board voted 4-0 to approve the school calendar for the next three years that will be very similar to the current one, with an early August start and an end to the school year before Memorial Day. Fayette County schools will open the 2009-10 academic year Aug. 11 and end May 28.

Chairwoman Terri Smith, Lee Wright, Janet Smola and Marion Key voted to approve the calendar. Dr. Bob Todd was absent and didn’t vote.