Wadsworth schools weigh $2.5 million in additional cuts

WADSWORTH — Wadsworth City Schools officials are beginning to put a price tag on the additional reductions the district could face if voters reject a proposed income-tax levy in November. The Board of Education discussed a potential $2.5 million in ongoing annual reductions during a special meeting Thursday, with officials examining transportation, staffing, class sizes, extracurricular activities and other programs as possible areas for savings. The board did not make any decisions about specific cuts. Treasurer Doug Beeman said the $2.5 million figure represents the first phase of reductions the district would need to consider if the November levy fails and the district seeks additional funding in 2027. The district has been developing scenarios for the 2027-28 school year and beyond as it works to address projected deficits. "We need to continue … the whole discussion of what is it that would potentially be reduced," Superintendent Andy Hill told the board. Officials emphasized that the numbers being discussed are planning estimates, not a final list of cuts. Among the options under consideration is reducing transportation services. Wadsworth currently transports students who live at least 1 mile from their assigned school, while state requirements generally provide for a more limited level of transportation. The district previously planned to move toward the state minimum beginning in the 2027-28 school year. Officials are also examining alternatives, including raising the district's transportation threshold to 1.5 or 2 miles. The district does not yet have a finalized estimate of how much changing transportation would save. Hill said an earlier calculation was affected by inaccurate routing data, and officials are working to correct the information. A more refined estimate could be available by the October board meeting. The board also examined the potential financial effects of reducing staffing. Beeman provided estimates for savings associated with not replacing employees who retire or resign, as well as potential reductions in teaching, administrative, counseling, career-technical and other positions. The district has lost 29 full-time educators through net staffing changes over the past three school years, according to figures presented at the meeting. That includes a net reduction of 27 positions in the current school year. Closing an elementary school also remains one of the possibilities being examined, although Hill cautioned that such a decision would require a longer process. The district's recent community survey found 63 percent of respondents supported considering the closure of one of the district's five traditional elementary schools if enrollment continues to decline. The survey received 919 responses. Board members said the survey did not provide a clear directive for how the district should proceed. The district also asked residents about transportation and extracurricular activities. Sixty-two percent of respondents said the district should maintain access to current extracurricular activities at an affordable price. Extracurricular activities could become another significant consideration if the district moves toward state minimums. District officials said the general fund currently supports extracurricular activities through coaching and adviser stipends, benefits and transportation. Those activities include athletics, band, choir, student council and other student organizations. More than 75 percent of Wadsworth students participate in some type of extracurricular activity, Hill said. Officials said the district could not simply eliminate general-fund support and have individual booster organizations take over payments to district employees. Any compensation for employees would still have to follow district and state requirements. The board also discussed increasing class sizes as a potential source of savings. District officials provided estimates showing how changes in staffing levels, kindergarten programming and other services could affect the district's finances over the next several years. Hill said the goal of Thursday's discussion was not to settle on a list of reductions, but to give the board a clearer understanding of the choices it could face. Some changes, he said, would require significant advance planning. The district has another special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, when the board could continue the discussion. For now, officials are waiting for additional financial information while preparing for the possibility that the November levy will not provide the additional revenue the district is seeking. The board's discussion comes as the district continues implementing a fiscal precaution plan adopted after previous funding efforts fell short. "We're trying to be clear that these things are out there, and we've got to consider them," board President Tim Beck said. No specific reductions were approved Thursday. Contact Brooke Adams at 440-822-8373 or badams@medina-gazette.com.