Conneaut School Board of Education members were screamed at by Joe Yeager, the school district's recently retired business manager when the directors met last Wednesday evening.

Yeager, speaking during visitor recognition, was one of three who addressed the board during their regular monthly meeting which was held at Conneaut Valley High School, the board's usual meeting place during the month of April.

The three speakers fly in the face of a headline elsewhere that said vocal residents pack budget meeting. There were roughly 40 in attendance with about half school district employees.

Yeager began his speech with a "We the people"phrase that he used throughout, saying at first that We the people began an important document about 200 years ago. He screamed that we the people are seeking your solutions for the school budget and we the people demand no tax increase.

He yelled that solving this upcoming year's budget is easy, that your problem is the following year His suggestion was the only real way [to solve budget] is to consolidate and he threw out a 9 -12 one high school plan, a grades 6 - 8 building with two elementary buildings of grades K - 5. He continued the district could then sell two buildings and increase the district assets. He pushed for cuts in personnel and wage freezes for staff to the applause of some in the audience.

Yeager retired from his position as Conneaut School District business manager this past January of 2011

Yeager spent his career in the public school sector, drawing pay and benefits through taxes paid and is now drawing retirement benefits.

As business manager he often proposed and suggested the school district raise its taxes. Why he seemed so angry during his speech was unclear His compensation package was in line with others in the district with his salary just under the superintendent and assistant superintendent. His salary for the current year was pegged at $96,501.

Yeager's loud burst came moments after Dot Luckock, president of the Conneaut Valley Music Boosters, spoke to the benefits of music in the schools noting "the current environment of the budget season that has been forced upon us by the State budget."

Luckock noted it is the mission of the Music Boosters "to be advocates for the music programs in our schools."

As the district works on next year's budget amid a cutback in state funding, a number of suggestions have been forth ranging from no music and art programs to cuts in staff. The district has cut 15 teaching positions or more in the past 5 years. There could be that many in the upcoming year. Conneaut School Board president Jody Sperry has been quoted as saying the board and school administration is working hard on a no tax increase budget with current discussions private because they involve personnel which have to be done in executive session until final plans are in place. The most the school district can raise taxes under Act 1 limits is .97 mills- less than 1 mill. That would bring in just under $245,000 in.

Luckock noted 94% of 4th graders at Conneaut Valley is in the elementary band among other items including almost 1 out of every 4 students in grades 7 - 12 at CVHS are in the Marching Band and in the first 3 grading periods, 51% of students on Honors and High Honors participate in music.

She closed her speech personally challenging everyone in the district to strive for open communication and discussion on these important budget issues. If asking a question be please be respectful...and if a question is raised look at the request for additional information for a thorough understanding, instead of immediately being defensive.

She noted the Music boosters are willing to partner to review any proposed adjustments and to look at nay domino effect...

The third speaker of the night was Richard Hoegerl of Linesville who noted he would not speak to the board like Yeager did, but as he spoke he got louder as well. He said he was waiting to hear news [on the budget] but had not heard anything here. He noted 10%cuts by the governor and asked if schools had cut budgets by 10% and said no one has cut but the people.

Hoegerl also noted he has written to congressmen and the governor and concluded by saying he wants no tax increase at all.

The school board is looking at a number of items in the budget and met with elementary principals prior to the evening's meeting. Staff cuts and program cuts and adjustments are all part of the discussions to deal with the budget.