Bowling Green City Schools approve major staff and program cuts after levy failure

Bowling Green City Schools faces significant staffing and program cuts following the rejection of a crucial income tax levy by district voters. The Board of Education has approved a list of eliminations and reductions that will take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, driven by financial constraints.

The approved cuts include a staggering 29 positions, impacting various roles across the district. This includes seven teachers—four at the elementary level, one district-wide music teacher, one middle school business education teacher, and one high school English teacher. Additionally, three administrative positions, including the athletic director and the director of communication, will be eliminated, alongside reductions in nursing staff, bus drivers, custodians, and support personnel.

The cuts extend beyond staffing, with major reductions to student programs. All extracurricular activities, including athletics, arts, music, drama, and clubs, will be eliminated. The district's gifted program and elementary orchestra will also be discontinued, and there will be no field trips or alternative educational opportunities, including the fifth-grade camp.

Transportation services will be drastically limited, adhering only to state minimum requirements. This means that only preschool through eighth-grade students living more than two miles from school will receive transportation, leaving many without access. High school transportation will be restricted to legal requirements, with no home pick-up or drop-off services.

These changes will lead to longer travel times for students, with estimates suggesting bus rides could extend up to 1.5 hours. The middle school schedule will also be adjusted, shifting start and end times to accommodate the new transportation arrangements.

The Board's decision comes after the failed 0.75 percent, five-year income tax levy vote on May 6, 2025, which was intended to help alleviate financial pressures. As the district prepares for these significant changes, the impact on students and families is expected to be profound, raising concerns about the future of education in Bowling Green.