Room 128 at Green High was filled to overflowing Wednesday by Green staff members as they waited to hear how many positions would be cut after the recent levy defeat. After a short comment by Board President Bob Campbell and several student presentations the bad news was laid out in the Superintendent's Report.
Interim Superintendent Linda Martin detailed the cuts that needed to be taken due to the levy defeat and the loss of revenue: for the teaching staff nine full time teachers and nine part-time teachers would be cut. In the classified areas, five tutors, five monitors, and 14.5 administrative/ secretarial positions would be eliminated. For the administrative staff, four positions would either be eliminated or combined. Part of the reduction in cost will also be through incentive retirement over the next two years for two administrators and 13 teachers.
In addition there would be changes in the part-time kindergarten full day/alternating day program. There would also be a 20 percent reduction in field trips with much more scrutiny being placed on trip approval, a 33 percent reduction in each building budget, cancellation of summer programs and changes in the high school block scheduling classes for incoming students.
Both Martin and Campbell stated that the cuts were made after a long series of studies and considerations by the Ohio Department of Education, administrative specialists and in consultation with the three unions representing staff. There were no moves to cut busing, reduce sports and extra curricular activities or change for these.
“We have to balance the budget according to state law,” said Martin. “We are currently facing and additional two million dollars or more in cuts in addition to the two million we have already made. It was not easy to make these decisions.”
“We spent a lot of time in considering these cuts,” said Campbell. “I don't mention this to get a pat on the back, but to show you that these were cuts were only made after serious deliberation.”
There are also several things that may help save some of the positions, Martin said, including the federal stimulus bill, Governor Strickland's funding program and House Bill 1. Unfortunately none of these are in place yet and their details, and money amounts, are not yet available. This has put the school system in an uncertain position for planning for the future. If additional funding becomes available, especially the government stimulus package, some of the positions cut would be reinstated said Campbell.
Frank Fodor questioned the criteria used for the cuts, especially why there were no cuts in transportation.
Sam Germano, teacher union president, also questioned the cut being made and commented teachers should be the last ones cut. He further raised the question of how the board was going to let the parents know how the cuts were going to affect the schools since they would see no changes in the general operation of the school. Campbell discussed his questions.
Board member Jay Dettore talked about his position as a parent and how his daughters would be affected by cuts as would other children. Another board member, Dr. Victor Pinhero, observed that to pass a levy parents must take part in the process. Until that occurs, levies will not pass. he said.
The board recognized students of the month from each school.
Students from Green Primary under Scott Aten gave a presentation and a video was shown about activities at the school. Donna Plunkett discussed the Developing Leaders program at the high school and students Courtney Bates, Derek Willis and Ryan Wilson explained how the program functioned.
The board also recognized the Academic Challenge Team that won the state championship and will go on to the national competition in Florida in June. Kelsey Corle was recognized for being selected for the Essex School for the Gifted, Michael Kepler for saving a woman from a burning house and David Longstaff, Nikki Staudt, Kristen McCausland, Sophie Kestner and Alex Sudbrink for art awards, and Summer Garfield Jackson for her reflection essay which earned a first in Ohio and second on the nation level.
