11/14/11 East Holmes to look for $1 million in cuts after Nov. 8 levy fails

  • By Nick Sabo
  • November 14, 2011
  • 277
                        
SUMMARY: Superintendent to seek input from faculty, staff Input from faculty and staff will help determine the path of an estimated $1 million in cuts to the East Holmes School district. Superintendant Joe Edinger said a series of meetings to be held Nov. 15 - Nov. 23 at six of the district schools to find savings will involve school employees looking at cuts to everything from staff, transportation, student and athletic fees and salaries and benefits. Edinger said the goal will be to make up for an expected $300,000 shortfall in 2012 - 2013 as well as $750,000 the district hoped to gain with passage of a 3.82 mill levy Nov. 8. The levy failed by 141 votes, with 1,119 for the levy and 1,260 against. Edinger said all areas where savings are possible will be examined. “I’m calling the building meetings to solicit input and see what ideas they have,” Edinger said. “We’re going to make a list and prioritize it. We’ll look at the things that are dear and scared to us and put those as far down the list as possible.” Among the areas that will be brought up are a reduction in force (RIF), which essentially means staff cuts. Edinger said the district has so far eliminated 17 teachers and reduced administration by 1.5 positions. Cuts to classified staff and reduction of overtime have also been implemented. The “low-hanging fruit has been picked” Edinger said, leaving the district with no other choice but to pursue deeper cuts. The school board voted Nov. 11 to pursue another levy on the March ballot. It will again seek a millage amount sufficient to generate $1.5 million, the same amount that would have been generated by the levy on the Nov. 8 ballot. Edinger said the levy campaign will include informing voters of what has been lost and, if no new revenue is secured, what may be cut in the future. “My goal is to say to voters, here’s the things that are gone, here are the things that will be gone,” Edinger said. “I want voters to be able to make an informed decision.” The school board will further meet Nov. 21 to finalize plans for the levy campaign. Edinger said he will have a final list of cuts ready to recommend to the board in January. Edinger said meetings will be held in December with staff whose jobs are at risk. The district will further place on the March ballot renewal of a permanent improvement levy that generates $350,000 annually for the district.


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