At a special Board of Education meeting held on December 12, 2024, the administration presented a reduction plan to address the financial shortfall caused by the failure of the operational levy on November 5, 2024. The levy’s expiration on December 31, 2024, results in a $13.5 million revenue loss for the district starting January 1, 2025. This meeting served as a discussion forum between the Board and administration, focusing on strategies to mitigate the financial impact, though no decisions were finalized. Key areas of concern include staff reductions, program eliminations, and operational adjustments.

 

The entire meeting may be accessed at this link: https://youtu.be/oJ0J0PziMmY?si=1TicXephkSu3iG2Q

To begin at a specific topic area from the presentation, the following links may be used to go directly to that section of the meeting:
Financial Implications
Reduction Plan Work Underway
Nov. 5 Levy Look Back - Ohio
PJHS and PHS
Technology, Maintenance, Transportation, Custodial & Facility Access
Redrawing Boundaries - Elementary Schools
Board Office and District
Teaching & Learning
Elementary & HPI
Pupil Services
Other Reductions 
Future Levy Discussion

To address the shortfall, the district plans to implement $6 million in budget cuts and use $7.5 million from its cash balance. These cuts will significantly affect staffing, with 61 positions slated for elimination across teaching, support, and administrative roles. Student programs, including athletics, music, and extracurricular activities, face reductions or eliminations, impacting opportunities for engagement and learning enrichment.

The district’s financial challenges are compounded by rising costs and growing student enrollment. Measures such as increasing extracurricular participation fees, adjusting transportation policies, and exploring redistricting to optimize resources are under consideration. While one-time funds will cover expenses for the 2024-2025 school year, they are not sustainable for the future. If a new levy fails in 2025, additional cuts of $9 million or more may be required, potentially affecting the mid-year budget.

The community and staff are encouraged to attend and participate in upcoming meetings, including a regular Board meeting on December 16, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. The school district aims to navigate these financial constraints while striving to maintain quality education and operational stability.