District Evaluating Potential Cuts for Coming School Years

"After 44 community engagement meetings with parents, community members, staff and students, the board has listened to its stakeholders and as a result, taken a number of action steps to further reduce the district’s budget by $3.5 million over the past three years," said Superintendent Dr. Russ Jones.

Below is a list of possible new cuts coming to the district:

• Re-configuration of Kimpton Middle School
• Upcoming union negotiations
• Increase class sizes
• Alternative methods to provide non-instructional services
• Close buildings during non-instructional times
• Different building configuration

“Through the community engagement process we identified nine areas of possible reductions,” said Board of Education President Pat Matthews. “We have implemented three of those suggestions including eliminating high school busing and electives as well as instituting pay-to-participate. Not only are the other six suggestions currently under consideration as we move forward, but the district is evaluating all cost-cutting possibilities."

Cuts totaling $3.5 million from the last three years include:

• Administrative reductions: Assistant superintendent, business manager, community relations coordinator, high school assistant principal, two summer school principals.
•  Other staff reductions: high school guidance counselor, high school attendance secretary, two summer school secretaries, 66 supplemental positions, department/grade level chairs, 18 teaching positions, maintenance secretary, central office receptionist, middle school receptionist, three maintenance personnel, five high school parking attendant monitors, three preschool aides, educational assistant, student control monitor. 
• Additional cost savings measures implemented: Instituted pay-to-participate, eliminated high school busing and implemented cluster bus stops, reduced building budgets by 10 percent, eliminated professional development except through grant funding, new teacher to the district mentor program has been eliminated, textbooks have not been purchased for three years, reduced overtime except for emergency only, Honeywell Energy Savings Project implemented ($655,000 savings), reduced technology budget by 50 percent, reduced health care costs through 5 percent employee contribution, reduced food service expenditures by $72,000 and 26 high school electives were eliminated.

"An impending financial crisis has been estimated to ensue by July 1, 2012, despite eliminating $3.5 million from the district’s budget over the past three years," according to a press release issued by the district.

For the latest on the district's finances and three possible emergency levy millages for Stow, click .