Wadsworth schools ask residents to weigh possible changes

WADSWORTH — Wadsworth Schools is asking residents to weigh in on potential changes ranging from elementary-school assignments and transportation to kindergarten, extracurricular activities and graduation requirements. The survey, open through Wednesday, comes as the district considers how it would operate if it does not secure additional revenue before the 2027-28 school year. One of the survey's questions asks whether the board of education should consider closing one of the district's five traditional K-4 elementary schools if enrollment continues to decline and enrollment allows for a closure. The question does not identify a particular school for closure. Superintendent Andrew Hill said the board is examining areas where the district provides services beyond state minimum operating requirements. He said enrollment projections, community input, available revenue and legal requirements would factor into any decisions. "Right now, the board is looking at all areas where our services exceed those required by the state's minimum operating standards," Hill said. The survey asks residents to consider several of those areas. For elementary schools, respondents can weigh maintaining the current geographic assignment system, assigning students to K-4 schools regardless of where they live or another approach. Transportation is another focus. The district asks whether it should reduce transportation to state minimums. Hill told the board Sept. 14 that Wadsworth currently transports students in kindergarten through eighth grade who live at least 1 mile from school, while the state minimum generally applies to students in those grades who live more than 2 miles from their assigned school. The survey also asks whether extracurricular activities should remain affordable, move toward full cost participation fees or follow another model. Residents are asked about kindergarten separately, including whether they would be willing to pay tuition for full-day kindergarten if the district moved to a half-day program. Another question asks whether the district should maintain its current graduation requirements or reduce them to state minimums. Hill told the board that full-day kindergarten, extracurricular activities, gifted services, some technology resources, additional high school electives, smaller K-2 class sizes and neighborhood school assignments are among the services that go beyond state minimum requirements. Those questions build on a survey the district conducted in May that received 834 responses. That survey asked residents to rate the importance of services including mental health resources, extracurriculars, technology, high school electives, gifted services, smaller K-2 class sizes, neighborhood schools and transportation beyond state minimums. Hill told the board the spring results provided useful feedback but also showed the need for additional information. For example, the district did not ask respondents whether they had children in elementary school, something Hill said could have provided more context for responses about neighborhood schools. The district's financial outlook is part of the backdrop to the current survey. At the Sept. 14 board meeting, Hill said the district's updated forecast shows a roughly $2.4 million deficit in fiscal 2029. Without additional revenue or further reductions, that deficit is projected to exceed $13 million in fiscal 2030. "We cannot control whatever that outcome is on the November ballot," Hill told the board, referring to the district's efforts to secure additional revenue. "If we're not successful in November and you decide to go back in May next year, we can't control what that outcome will be in May at the ballot." Hill said the board will continue discussing what the district's future could look like if it doesn't secure additional revenue. The survey results will give the board additional community input as it weighs those options. Hill said the board is expected to continue the discussion after the survey closes. The survey is available at https://tinyurl.com/5x93jd3x. The Board of Education is scheduled to discuss next steps on Thursday. Contact Brooke Adams at 440-822-8373 or badams@medina-gazette.com.