Treasurer warns of $2.7 million deficit; board begins process to identify positions for reductions

Taylor, the district treasurer, told the board the current fiscal forecast projects a $2.7 million operating deficit for the year and continuing deficits through fiscal years 2027' 2030. Taylor said the district's cash balance could fall to a negative $4 million by fiscal year 2029 if current trends continue, citing higher-than-expected repair bills, increased purchased service expenses and additional instruction days required after recent building closures.

Taylor said the district currently receives about 23% of operating revenue from property owners, with the remainder from state, federal and other sources; she said the state's share of school funding has declined compared with historical levels. Taylor added that the district estimates it costs roughly $126, on average, to educate a student for each school day they attend.

Following the forecast, Interim Superintendent Mr. Evans asked the board to approve beginning the process to identify positions and programs for potential reductions to address the deficit. Evans emphasized multiple times that the motion starts a process rather than issuing reduction notices: the board would identify positions, meet with bargaining units (BEA and OTC were named in the discussion), follow contractual bumping rights and other protections, hold face'to'face conversations with affected employees and ensure student programming, course offerings, athletics and arts would not be cut as part of this initial step.

Evans told the board there would be no names attached at this stage, and the board's vote merely authorizes staff to proceed with the staffing-reduction analysis consistent with collective bargaining obligations. Board members noted the process would require formal notices as required by contract language and that final cuts (if any) would come to the board as separate, public action after employees have been notified and union discussions have proceeded.

The board approved the superintendent's listed items (8.01'8.05), which included facilities rental approvals, a $550 Title I'funded professional development contract, a Cleveland State University clinical education agreement and two out'of'state overnight field trips, by roll call vote 4-0. The motion to begin the reductions process was part of that consolidated vote.

In the public comment period, Angela Waters urged the board to make public the list of applicants for an open board seat and called the decision to keep the applicant list confidential until after appointment "secretive" and a transparency problem; a board member later responded that there were 22 applicants, the board must fill the vacancy within 10 days under board policy and Ohio State Board of Education guidance, and the district intends to allow public records requests for the applicant list after the appointment window closes.

The board accepted the treasurer's report and approved the superintendent's items after discussion about following contractual obligations and ensuring fair treatment of employees during the potential reductions process.