May Levy Failures Bring June Layoffs at Schools

Posted Tuesday, June 8, 2010

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Failed tax levies have school districts across the state facing some difficult choices, not the lest of which is staffing. Medina is letting 158 school employees go; 183 school personnel will be cut in Lorain; and Black River schools plan 25 layoffs. Tuesday morning, host Dan Moulthrop speaks to school district leaders across the region about the impact these cuts will have on education quality in the classroom and what else they're doing to balance the books.

Guests

Janice Wyckoff, superintendent, Black River schools
Rev. Dr. Curtis T. Walker, Sr. president, Akron Board of Education
Mark Dolan, president, Medina Board of Education
Michael Scherach, attorney, former Lorain Law Director
Tony Krasienko, Mayor of Lorain

Please follow our community discussion rules when composing your comments.

Eric 8:48 AM 6/8/10

From the Ohio Department of Education website, “The PAthway to Student Success (PASS) form provides the annual payments to districts under the evidence-based funding model.” How will levy voters evaluate levy requests versus these state-approved funding levels from Ohio’s new evidence-based model:
Akron: $216,709,346.03
Black River: $9,719,874.49
Lorain: $86,314,547.91
Medina: $37,204,805.01
http://webapp2.ode.state.oh.us/school_finance/data/2010/foundation/FY2010-PASS-REPORT.asp

Eric 8:48 AM 6/8/10

s school funding in Ohio still unconstitutional, or are districts unprepared for the transparency supported by Governor Strickland? The new “Education Challenge Factor” indicates Black River, Akron, and Lorain should pay teachers 23%, 40% and 60% more than Medina. How will districts convince voters to pay more taxes when the Governor suggests some teacher salaries are too generous, others are inadequate, but leaves the entire mess for districts to sort out?
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3306.051

Cindy 9:29 AM 6/8/10

Due to the lack of jobs in this part of Ohio, schools will to have to go back to the basics. Until the financial situation improves dramatically, the schools will be in financial trouble. How can people pay property taxes if they are working?

Michelle 9:33 AM 6/8/10

I am so sick of these schools asking for more and more money when we the citizens simply cannot afford it. I for one have not received a raise in 4 years and have taken 2 pay cuts in the last 2. These teachers and administrators are unwilling to take concessions. They just expect the community to foot the bill for the schools.
Your guest mentioned that his district is cutting French and German. I see no problem with this. Also, what is wrong with pay to play? Let the PARENTS pay for these programs, better yet let these spoiled students go out and earn money to pay for them to play sports.

Richard sadowski of ras floor machines and janilot 9:44 AM 6/8/10

i live and have a business in Medina city
how do they justify 30 foot high pillars/columns and terrazzo tile at entrance of high school also not doing business with less expensive local floor care suppliers rather than going to a business in alliance Ohio and paying higher service call rates for repairs on such equipment and supplies.

Cherian 9:56 AM 6/8/10

Mr Dolan stated that busing can be cut because it is not required under state law, but then neither is salary increases for the teachers UNION (not really the teachers). If the teachers UNION agreed to a pay cut, this would more than easily make up for any other cuts to the budget. Most teachers live in our communities and feel the pain of their neighbors, however the intransigience of the UNION makes it difficult for them to agree to share in the sacrifice.

With best regards

...Cherian

Andre Taylor 10:05 AM 6/8/10

Good morning,
I am a public school teacher and I would like to respond to the gentleman to who suggested we end the pension state pension system for educators. The caller suggest that it would save local school districts money.
It is true that the local school district contributes some of the revenue for the state pension, but there are several advantages for the local district retiring sooner than 65 years. of age.
When teachers retire earlier new teachers are hired and they tend to start at the low end of the pay scale and cost the distict less in health care. As new teachers replace retiring teachers they will often bring new ideas and energy.
ALSo the majority of the teacher’s pension is funded by teacher contributions.
Andre Taylor
Elementary art teacher

Melinda 2:07 AM 7/26/10

Instead of cutting 19 teachers at Black River Schools, why didn’t the union and administration seek out other options first? Other well repsected districts chose to freeze pay, do pay for play sports, and cut languages that really are not completely necessary during these times such as German. I’m glad they are building a nice new high school while the teachers they let go try to find jobs this summer.