Group forms to oppose LCS levy campaign - Hometownstations.com-WLIO- Lima, OH News Weather Sports

Heated words voiced after a meeting of a group calling themselves Citizens of Lima Against School Abuse.

"We need the teachers in the classroom to say sit down, shut your mouth, do your work, and they don't do that," said Harry Fleck, a supporter of the group. 

Mike Chartrand, a supporter of the schools and the levy campaign countered right back. 

"The biggest problem we've got is family-- we don't have discipline in the family household. So how do we have discipline in the schools?" said Chartrand.

Lima resident Susan Haggard spearheaded the initiative against the Lima City Schools levy campaign because she says her son wasn't being protected from bullies in the district.

"The children in our school system are not safe. Even though we're approaching this at a time of the school levy it does affect the levy because they're asking us to pay them more money for a job they're already failing at," said Haggard.

Maria Lauck, also supports to anti-levy group. 

"I pulled my kids out. They are no longer going to the city schools. It's the safety. If they would have been safe and secure they'd be going. They would be there in a heartbeat," said Lauck.

The Lima City Schools levy is for permanent improvements and operating expenses. If passed, an estimated $1.8 million would be raised for issues such as maintaining buildings and upgrading technology.

Chartrand attended the news conference, but instead to support the school and the levy campaign.

"We lose the levy, we lose teachers. Discipline is harder because more kids are in the classroom."

Superintendent Jill Ackerman did not attend the news conference. Instead she was campaigning for the levy at a meeting of the Lima Kiwanis Club.

"If there are issues with discipline, safety, anything-- it should not be tied to a levy. The purpose of the levy is to provide resources for kids to keep our class sizes at a manageable number, and why would we take away jobs to this community and resources to this community because we have a bone to pick," said Ackerman.

However, Haggard maintains her stance.

"how can this school expect us to do more when they haven't yet done their part?"

Voters will have the final say on the issue at the polls.