As Superintendent of Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools, I want to make our community aware of a critical issue that threatens the future of our district and the students we proudly serve.
Recent legislative proposals would reduce school district property tax revenue, resulting in a projected loss of $1.5 million over the next three years for Newton Falls alone.
For a small district like ours, this isn’t just a number — it would mean 5–7 fewer teachers, fewer academic and extracurricular opportunities, and the difficult loss of innovative programming that helps our students thrive.
We have worked tirelessly to improve student achievement and recently earned 3.5 stars on the State of Ohio Report Card, demonstrating steady upward progress. These gains, and the future of our students, are now at risk.
I have reached out to our State Representative, Nick Santucci, urging him to help us understand how this proposed reduction supports Ohio’s students — 90% of whom attend public schools — and to stand with us in protecting the quality of education in the Mahoning Valley.
The time for action is now. Public education is the foundation of our workforce and our community’s future. I encourage everyone who cares about Newton Falls and the future of Ohio’s children to stay informed and speak up in support of our schools.
You can read my full letter to Representative Santucci here:
Respectfully,
Andreas Johansson, PhD
Superintendent
Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools
Photo: Newton Falls Pathfinders at the Big Hike in Hiram this fall – an innovative program offered for students in grades 7-12.