Tiffin City Schools outlines $3 million reduction plan, says levy eases but does not end cuts

Tiffin City Schools staff on Thursday presented a draft plan of potential budget reductions intended to close roughly a $3,000,000 shortfall, saying the recently passed levy of about $3,193,000 would ease but not eliminate the need for further savings.

The presenter told the board that "every department could be affected" and that staff had not been notified because any personnel reductions would follow applicable collective bargaining agreements. The district proposed a three-tier rollout: some measures could be implemented immediately, some would be adopted soon, and others—such as changes to transportation boundaries—would take effect next school year.

Why it matters: board members and community speakers warned that cuts could affect student opportunity and the broader Tiffin community. The district estimated specific personnel impacts in a worst-case scenario: about 12 full-time teachers and roughly 15 educational aides, plus reductions across multiple buildings. The presenter cautioned these figures are preliminary and subject to bargaining and legal constraints.

Key proposals discussed included eliminating overtime and summer maintenance workers; moving to state-minimum busing (which the district said could save about $458,000 annually); evaluating or eliminating district-funded transportation for athletic events and other extracurriculars; and introducing or expanding pay-to-participate fees for sports, performing arts and clubs. Contracts—including one for mental-health services—were also flagged for possible reduction.

The presenter said the district currently spends a little over $410,000 annually on athletics, activities and clubs and that a fee structure could generate an estimated $318,000 but would not fully close the budget gap. "It is not sustainable," the presenter said of fees as a lone solution, adding that projected revenue assumes some reduction in participation if fees are imposed.

On food services, staff said the district participates in the Community Eligibility Provision and expected free school meals to continue for two more years under the current federal/state funding assumption; weekend food bags are provided through a Kiwanis partnership, staff said.

Board next steps: staff will draft a formal recommendation and return to the board for further action at the Oct. 27 meeting. The presenter urged continued community input and said immediate efficiency steps—such as eliminating overtime—could be taken once the board provides guidance.

The presentation included repeated cautions that many proposals would reduce services that district leaders consider beneficial to student outcomes and community vitality; the district stressed it would follow collective bargaining requirements before implementing personnel reductions.