“It comes down to: are students worth $12 bucks a month. If they are, vote yes. If they’re not, vote no,” said Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Superintendent Steve Thompson in his speech to hundreds of parents and children packed in Willoughby South’s gymnasium.
The superintendent detailed the cuts that will save the school district $12.7 million in 2012. The cuts are the result of the November 2011 levy failure and include union concessions.
Willoughby-Eastlake schools will lose a total of $8.75 million in revenue in 2012 including a 9 percent cut in state funding, $700,000 lost due to declining home values and the failure of the levy.
The current budget forecast shows a $87.9 million budget shortfall by 2016.
“The district has been fiscally tight almost to the point where we couldn’t cover ourselves with cash reserves,” Thompson said.
He stressed that the cuts would not affect the students as far as class size and curriculum offered. However, if the March levy is not passed, the game could change.
Thompson suggested cost-saving measures through both cuts and new way to increase revenue.
Transportation was among the largest cost-saving measures suggested at the meeting. With the possible outsourcing of school transportation, the Willoughby-Eastlake School District could potentially save up to $1.2 million.
Other cuts will happen regardless of the outcome of the March levy. Thompson instituted the fee for sports, or Pay to Participate, will cost students $90 beginning the 2012/13 school year.
In addition transportation of special needs students will be converted from vans to buses.
Perhaps the most dramatic change will be the closing of McKinley Elementary which was mainly due to declining enrollment and the age of the building, which was in need of $8 million in repairs Thompson said. Instead, Grant Elementary will receive a $4 million addition based on the passage of a 2010 levy which provides state funding for a project of that nature.
The district will also open Kennedy school which will house 55 Willoughby-Eastlake students who were previously outsourced, a measure that will save the district $600,000.
“We can number one do it better and also do it more cost effectively,” Thompson said.
Another project will focus on energy conservation and save costs. Funding provided through the House Bill 254 energy conservation program will allow the district to replace aging light fixtures and replace doors and windows in an effort to save on future energy bills to the rune of $455,000.
Willoughby-Eastlake schools will now also use reverse auctions, a measure to centralize purchasing of school supplies such as paper. Suppliers will place bids to provide products to the district.
One source of revenue generation will come from advertising on the district’s website. While it is difficult to estimate money made, Thompson said, it could bring Willoughby-Eastlake schools $25,000.
“I don’t expect to see Budweiser on a school bus,” Thompson said, “but Pepsi is OK.”
Among other cuts and changes include insurance concessions, two unpaid furlough days per year and a freeze to pay increases. In addition, 50 teachers have been laid off along with 40 additional positions.
“There will be no impact on class sizes,” he said. “There will also be little impact on course offerings.”
As for the March levy, slated as Issue 4, Superintendent Thompson said the district would be able to recover if it is passed. If not, the district could fall into a deficit totaling in the tens of millions and a fiscal emergency. The levy will cost property owners just over $12 a month per $100,000 in market value.
“We’re at a point where we can do serious damage to property values in the community,” Thompson said. “No one wants to move to a school district that is in a fiscal emergency.”
With passage and union concessions, Willoughby-Eastlake schools will be able to better prepare for a budget deficit of only $6.6 million by 2016.
“If we pass the levy, I don’t think our kids will skip a beat,” he said.
To view the five-year forecast assumption dated November 14, 2011 from the Ohio Department of Education, click here.
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Advertising on our buses and in our buildings is a horrible mistake. We have enough issues with our children being sold products, like Pepsi, that is not good for their growing bodies. If they follow through with this bad idea I will vote no for future levy’s and consider moving to a “healthier” district.
So you’re worried about advertising unhealthy products, but not worried about them outsourcing transportation? I’d be more concerned about the privatized bus company that doesn’t have to adhere to the background checks that the school district drivers have to pass. I’d be concerned about whether or not the drivers are drug/alcohol tested. Let them advertise- as a parent you are the one who should be making responsible decisions as to whether or not to purchase those items…
Jessica, All of these area’s of concern are addressed by state and federal laws already in force. Just look at the success of the Madison Schools since they privatized their bus system and it has saved a ton of money. Sounds like you are a disgruntled school bus driver of just a ill informed parent.
Jessica,
Yes I am worried more about advertising and how all children are educated in our district as well as my own kids. I love my job and have been a driver the this system for the past 9 years. I do agree with you that the possibility of privatization is scary for all the children in the district. I have to disagree with you on your last statement. Once your child is in high school you are not always there to make the purchasing decisions for them. You can hope that you raised them correctly and will make the right choice but without you there next them that misplaced ad is there to help them decide.
I work with a guy who’s wife is a willoughby eastkake school bus driver. The guy told me that his wife NOW, since the privatezation has to adhere to multiple monthly random drug tests where befor her job was privateized, she only had to have 1. His wife is a sweetheart and very patient so if all the bus drivers are like her, no parent ever has to worry about their children and she’s very carefull. She has 3 grand children of her own, one which is special needs. Super lady!
Thank you! That “Pepsi” comment made me bolt upright. The last thing our country’s children need is more targeted advertising of sugary, nutritionally empty foods. Hopefully, it will not come to that. Almost sounds like a scare tactic, as surely there are other companies out there with advertising dollars that make a better fit.
Right, it IS a scare tactic. Ultimately whatever sugar our children consume is up to us and what we will and will not have in our homes for them to drink as far as unhealthy drinks and snacks. There can be all the advertisements they want everywhere (and there already is), but at the end of the day, we supply food and drinks for our households and our children do and consume what we say. I think if they do the whole pepsi advertising, parents should just explain to the children why they are doing it, for money. I still think they could strike a deal with a natural spring water company or something, but they choose to sort of threaten the parents with and unhealthy demon advertisement on the side of the school buses. What do they do with all the money they already get for goodness sakes?
I have no problem paying the additional 12.00 per month. My problem comes in the fact that these school districts seem to keep coming back at every possible opportunity to ask for more money so before you know it you are paying an extra 100.00+ per month. Teh school distrcit needs to get someone in the game that understands how budgeting works.
I attended last nights meeting at south. I was very displeased with the presentation over all. A state audit does not have a thing to with a balanced budget. If the schools want my support in march, I would like to see a fiancial report. A balance sheet listing all exspences. Such as labor,maintance,healthcare,utilities & replacement of need materials. Operating a school isn’t any differant than any other buissness. I’m sure as adminastrators you mean well. We are all in a fiancial grunch. I have operated a machine shop for 35 yrs..For the last 25 yrs. industry has down sized & outsourced. It is imposable to pass on the operating exspences to others in this invirerment. I will not aggree to an open ended contract.I would like a commitment that the school will have a balance budget at the end of the 5 yr.term & will not ask for another raise. I will be attending the meeting at north. Pleased have the info. requested at this meeting. thank you:
They want to save money on bussing? How about the fact that there are 4 busses running down Forestgrove picking up students. Two busses picking up kids 4 doors apart going to the same school. my son has ridden the same bus for 3 yrs at the same stop. The transportation reorganizes and now he rides a different bus (special needs) in the morning then the regular bus home in the afternoon. If my son can ride the special needs bus and be perfectly normal and happy with it then so can the other children. You want to solve the problems? LOOK HARDER. preferably not in my wallet UNLESS all other sources and options have been completely exhausted. I don’t feel that they have been.
Right! i remember walking like 1/4 of a mile to the nearest bus stop in WVA lol.
Privatizing is horrible. Think of all the drivers,aides,mechanics that will all loose their jobs. Also the superintendent doesn’t care. He lives in Chagrin Falls. His kids don’t go to school here. To him its a job. If our schools fail, it doesn’t affect him personally. Maybe we should think about getting rid of him and bringing in someone who’s heart and soul is right here with the Willoughby Eastlake schools.
Amen Amen. He does not live here. And it is not just 12 dollars its per 100,000. You will be paying for garbage pick up. My house is 240,000 I pay 5400 a year in taxes and try to argue them all the time. They have to many specialized programs. Zenith, Magnet, ect.
WE just needs basic education. Help the children who need the help. “Its for the children” That is what schools are for. If you are smart do you really need a extra money thrown at you. You will get money in scholarships. WE does not have a civic center, performing arts center, hugh stadium on campus. But you pay as much as surrounding cities. Just say no!
I would love to hear more about the concept of re-opening Kennedy.
Quote:
The district will also open Kennedy school which will house 55 Willoughby-Eastlake students who were previously outsourced, a measure that will save the district $600,000.
Are these numbers correct? What’s the story behind these 55 children?
The students are special needs students that are outsourced to neighboring districts.
Thanks for the response. I assumed that was the case, but it’s nice to have a more definite answer. I’m glad they’ve decided to move these students and save $600,000. However, I have to wonder if another option might save even more money. Maybe an empty storefront or small restaurant somewhere within the district? Kennedy is a large space and I’d guess there are still massive operating costs associated with re-opening it for just 55 students.
When I attended North, there was a student one year behind me that was permanently wheelchair bound and she managed the building without any problems. So, I’m guessing these 55 students are not handicapped, but rather have other special needs?
I can’t stand all this crap with the schools needing more money every time I vote. I attended the W-E schools myself from kindergarten through twelfth grade and now my kid goes to them. As long as I can remember that darn levy passes all the time! Times are hard for everyone now! My husband has been at his job for 20 years and hasn’t gotten a raise for 8 years! The schools need to run this as a business! If it were I don’t think there would be such hard times now! They say it’s only $12 more a month. What about next time? They’ll want more money than that! Get rid of the people that aren’t really “needed”, do the advertising on the buses and anything else that can bring in money. I didn’t vote for this in November and I won’t again in March!
Vote No!! My son does nothing and passes Willoughby Schools. My son tells me most kids sleep through the classes. Hmmm. I guess if you can sleep through middle school and High school. What is that saying for these teachers. A sleeping education lol. We came from another district.
Willoughby is a big joke! The tax payers are getting ripped off.
You must be so proud.
That’s one of the problems their are teachers getting paid high salaries to do nothing because their unions say they don’t have to. I work with metal and if I don’t do my job right, I get rheemed a new one for an honest mistake, but a TEACHER doesn’t have to do their jobs to the best of their ability when it comes to the future of the kids? I know unions were probably a good and needed thing once upon a time, but as with any organization that starts out good, they’ve gotten corrupt and money hungry.Of course the unions will keep a ton of lazy worthless people in their jobs, they WANT those huge union dues. I worked at a company for 14 years that had a union and they got us a quarter raise so my union dues went from 15 dollars per month to 19 dollars per month!! The unions are just greedy!!
Willoughby Eastlake School busing allows favoritism to certain children being bused. A first grader has to walk to a collection site 7 houses away, while a middle school child can be picked up right at their front door and stop again within 4 houses to pick up another middle school child. What’s going on? Just because a child makes honor roll does not make this bus pick right. Eastlake is concerned about gas usage, time – a lot a favoritism and special treatment going on. I hope this issues does not pass. Someone needs to come and and review the entire process.