The Strongsville Board of Education has decided to utilize a portion of the district's savings to avoid immediate budget cuts, responding to concerns from voters who believe the district holds excessive reserves. This decision, for one year only, aims to regain voter trust and potentially improve the chances of future levy approvals.
The Strongsville Board of Education has decided to spend down part of the district's savings, avoiding budget cuts for the time being. This move comes as a response to some voters, including members of the Strongsville GOP, who believe the district has accumulated excessive savings and should utilize them before proposing another tax levy. Board member Sharon Kilbane stated that regaining voter trust requires demonstrating a willingness to address their concerns.
The hope is that by spending some of the reserves, voters will be more receptive to approving a new tax for school operations in the future.The district currently holds $46.1 million in general fund savings and an additional $25 million transferred from the general fund, designated for building improvements. District officials had previously warned that if the November levy failed, they would be forced to implement various cuts, including reducing bus service for specific grades, increasing pay-to-participate fees, limiting course offerings, eliminating clubs and groups, and making other reductions. District Treasurer George Anagnostou cautioned that without the levy's passage, the schools would face a $3 million budget cut in fiscal year 2026 and another $3.5 million cut in fiscal year 2027, totaling $6.5 million in reductions.Board President Richard Micko explained that avoiding the $3 million cut in fiscal year 2026 would result in a larger reduction of $6.5 million in fiscal year 2027, ultimately leading to the same total budget reduction of $6.5 million in fiscal year 2027 regardless of the timing of the cuts. Kilbane acknowledged that the district might need to make adjustments later in the year due to insufficient savings or revenue. Micko refuted the assertion that the school board was conceding to levy opponents by spending down its savings. The Strongsville GOP had expressed concerns about the district's substantial reserves and advocated for a smaller levy in November. Board member Michelle Bissell expressed reservations about compromising with any particular groups or individuals, emphasizing the board's ethical obligation to base decisions on facts and independent judgment rather than external influence.
BUDGET CUTS SCHOOL SAVINGS VOTER TRUST LEVY APPROVAL STRONGSVILLE SCHOOLS
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