Bowling Green board approves $2.6 million contingency reduction plan if May levy fails

The Bowling Green City School District Board of Education on Monday approved a contingency budget‑reduction plan that would cut about $2,600,000 from operating spending beginning in the 2025–26 school year if a 0.75% traditional income tax operating levy on the May 6, 2025 ballot is unsuccessful.

Superintendent Dr. Ted Hazleman told the board the district has been spending more than it takes in for the last two fiscal years and that the board placed the income‑tax levy on the May ballot to increase operating revenue. “The Board of Education placed an operating levy on the 05/06/2025 ballot. It is a 0.75% traditional income tax for a 5 year period of time,” Hazleman said.

The nut of the district’s choice, Hazleman said, is to either raise additional revenue through the levy or lower operating expenditures. “You either increase revenue, if that option doesn't happen, this option is a must where, we implement the reductions,” he said.

Why it matters: the district spends roughly $40 million a year on operations and uses reserves to cover shortfalls when revenues lag. Hazleman said the reductions are intended to restore a balanced budget if the levy does not pass and that the board approved the list in advance so staff and the public would know what would be at stake. If the levy passes, Hazleman said, “all of our services, all of the items that we provide our students, all of the programs, all of the staff…