Perrysburg Board of Education discusses budget reduction plan after levy failure

The Perrysburg Board of Education convened a special meeting on December 12, 2024, to address significant budgetary challenges following the recent failure of a levy campaign. The meeting, which was attended by board members and administrators, aimed to outline the district's plans to manage a projected funding gap of $13.5 million, representing 17% of the overall budget.

Board President Mr. Drew opened the meeting with a safety briefing and emphasized the importance of community engagement, noting that public participation would be encouraged at the upcoming regular meeting. This special session was framed as a preliminary discussion, setting the stage for further dialogue in the future.

Superintendent Mr. Hassler and other administrators presented an update on the district's budget reduction strategies, which were initially discussed in a previous meeting on October 8. The administrators described their approach as a "blueprint" for addressing the financial shortfall, highlighting the need for careful planning and community involvement as they navigate these challenges.

The meeting featured insights from various administrators who will be directly impacted by the budget adjustments. Their perspectives aimed to provide the board with a clearer understanding of how the funding cuts could affect students and educational programs.

No votes were scheduled during this meeting, as the focus was primarily on information sharing and preparing for more detailed discussions in the future. The board plans to continue engaging with the community to gather feedback and explore solutions to the funding crisis, with a regular meeting set for the following Monday where public input will be welcomed.

This meeting marks a critical step for the Perrysburg Exempted Village School District as it seeks to align its operations with the new financial realities while maintaining its commitment to student education and community involvement.