As they work to pass out Chromebooks and free meals to students in the first days of an extended three-week spring break, local school districts that had levies on Tuesday鈥檚 Primary Day ballot are dealing with financial futures still in limbo.
Steve Thompson, superintendent of the Willoughby-Eastlake Schools, said district officials will have to wait an additional two months to find out if they have to make $5 million in cuts. That鈥檚 on top of millions in cuts made last year. With the primary election now set for June 2, the future of the softball, baseball and swim teams, and the size of the teaching staff hangs in the balance.
鈥�If we do have to go into a situation where we're moving into a reduction in force of staff as a result of a failed levy, it gives those people very little opportunity to find another position in a school district for next year,鈥� said Thompson. 鈥淪o it鈥檚 tough.鈥�
Keeping the students healthy, fed and educated is top of mind, Thompson said, but adds that this public health crisis makes looking toward the next school year incredibly difficult.
鈥淓verybody鈥檚 just sort of in a frozen position,鈥� said Thompson. 鈥淎gain, not the fault of the governor by any stretch. Not the fault of anyone. Just circumstances.鈥�
The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School district is in a similar position. A school operating levy on the ballot there is meant to prevent $5 million in cuts.
makes it 鈥渆xtremely difficult for our school district to budget and plan. The election delay compounds that uncertainty,鈥� in an email to ideastream.
But in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, priorities continue to shift, including in the schools.
鈥淥ur number one priority is the safety of everyone in our community, and we support any decision that is made in the interest of safety during this unprecedented time,鈥� the email said.
Copyright 2021 90.3 WCPN ideastream. To see more, visit . 9(MDA5NTM4MTIyMDE0MTg3NDc2MTVlZjdmNQ001))
