More proposed spending cuts may be implemented this week by the Genoa school board, according to the district treasurer.

Board members in a special session last Monday discussed additional spending reductions proposed by the administration but will likely take action on the recommendations during this week’s regular meeting, Bill Nye said, adding the district is trying to position itself to avert a projected deficit by the end of fiscal year 2011.

To date, the board has approved spending reductions that will save the district approximately $637,682 by June 30, 2010.

Those cuts include:
• A reduction in force of the high school assistant principal/ athletic director position and eliminating a curriculum director position.
• An elimination of the industrial technology teaching position at the high school and the retirement of a teacher who will not be replaced.
• The retirements of two teachers at the middle school who won’t be replaced.
• The retirements of a teacher at Allen Elementary School and a teacher at Brunner Elementary. They will not be replaced.

“Without the retirements it would be very difficult to reach our goal,” Mr. Nye said.

He said the administration is looking at having someone already working in the district assume the responsibilities of athletic director.

The district will also realize a savings in the general fund by transferring about 95 percent of the cost of the salary for the maintenance supervisor position from that fund to a fund receiving revenues from a permanent improvement levy.

Board members have indicated they don’t want to go back to the voters for several years with another levy request for operating revenues, Mr. Nye said.

A three-year grant that helps pay for a Chinese language teaching position at the high school expires at the end of next year, leaving school officials with the prospect of finding another funding source for the position.

The district’s plans to construct a new elementary building at the high school/middle school campus and to close Brunner and Allen schools also figure into the board and administration’s efforts to reduce operating costs.  Projections by the administration for fiscal year 2012 include a savings of $125,000 by the consolidation.

Voters last year approved a bond issue to help fund the local share of construction costs for the new school. The district is paying about $5.23 million for the project, which will also receive $13.7 million from the Ohio School Facilities Commission and a $6.2 million credit the district has with the OSFC.

A savings of more than $12,000 starting in fiscal 2010 by an adjustment to the district’s bus scheduling is also being projected.
 
 
 

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed