Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Finances And Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears tight finances, busing changes and staffing strains in central-office report
Summary
Central-office staff told the Tallmadge board that the district ended FY26 with about $1.2 million in the general fund, is down roughly eight teachers from last year, and faces significant transportation changes that may affect families' ability to get students to school.
During the July 15 Tallmadge Board of Education meeting, central-office staff presented the district's fiscal and operational status and warned that without new revenue the district will need further program and personnel reductions.
A staff presenter (speaker 3) said the district ended fiscal year 2026 with approximately $1.2 million in the general fund and that the year-end result was close to forecast. "June ends fiscal year 26. We ended the year with 1.2 million in the general fund," the presenter said. The presenter flagged unresolved issues and said a multi-year forecast is due in August.
Staff reported a net reduction of eight teaching positions compared with the previous year and said teachers had accepted zero-percent raises in the current bargaining cycle. "We are falling behind the market in terms of what we're paying our teachers," the presenter said, adding that classified hourly positions (for example, office staff and paraprofessionals) are difficult to recruit at current wages.
Transportation was a central operational concern. Staff said the district's revised busing plan will significantly alter traffic flow and that there will be no busing for Talmadge High School; the district added a sidewalk to address a safety gap. The presenter said many families are exploring alternatives because of the busing changes and that some households will struggle to get students to school. "We're very concerned about some of the families and getting kids to school," the presenter said.
The board approved the June financials on a roll-call vote and later accepted a standard contract with the ESC of Northeastern Ohio to continue services for visually impaired students. Staff said the ESC contract covers a teacher of the visually impaired and orientation and mobility services for about 5–7 students, with a slight hourly-rate increase (from roughly $120 to $127.60), which was described on the record as a "slight increase." The district approved the contract by roll call.
On personnel, the board consolidated items 5.1–5.13 and approved a slate that included long-term substitute hires for new teachers (Ben Zink, Kylie noted), a new attendant/secretary hire (Lauren Jacobs), and acceptance of resignations including Jen Tumlin and Bill Johnson. The presenter said they had 20 applicants for the athletic-director role, narrowed to three finalists.
The board and staff also highlighted community programs running this summer: a volunteer-run free rummage sale to outfit students for school, an extended-school-year program for IEP-eligible students, and a Dare to Share food program serving about 160 children over the summer.
Next steps: Staff will finish the multi-year forecast due in August; the board signaled it will continue to explore program reductions should expected revenues not materialize and will proceed with planned hires and contracts approved at the meeting.
