Millions In Cuts For Cleveland Schools
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Significant Budget Cuts Affect Cleveland Schools
Overview
The Cleveland Board of Education has approved a budget with substantial cuts, leaving many school employees uncertain about their job security for the upcoming school year. Non-instructional union employees, including cleaners, custodians, and clerical staff, are particularly vulnerable, along with several non-union roles.
Details
Lisa Marie Ruda, the Chief of Staff, mentioned that the exact number of affected positions will be determined next week. This comes as over 500 teachers and paraeducators have already received layoff notices, some effective immediately, others by fall. These layoffs are part of a $35.4 million reduction in salaries and benefits from the previous year. In response, 22 schools were closed last month to cut costs. Over three years, Cleveland Schools have endured more than $100 million in budget cuts, and a tax increase on the August 2nd ballot could potentially generate an additional $48 million.
Funding Challenges
CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett attributes these necessary reductions to state budget cuts. Cleveland Schools anticipate losing up to $6 million in Medicaid funds, essential for providing support services like speech and occupational therapy to students. An additional $6 million in general state funds is also expected to be withdrawn. Initially, the proposed state education budget for 2006 and 2007 included small percentage increases, but the revised plan awaiting Governor Taft’s approval offers no such increments.
Impact on Employees
Certain employee groups, like bus drivers?"who faced 130 layoffs last winter?"and security officers, are currently safe from the cuts. Security personnel remain critical to ensure student safety in high schools. Meanwhile, the transportation system is under review. The district has engaged an external firm, TransPar Group, to evaluate the system, paying them $50,000 for the assessment. This action follows previous mishandlings that resulted in a $729,000 repayment to the state due to inaccurate bus counts, an error the financially constrained district cannot afford.
Conclusion
These extensive budget reductions and program evaluations illustrate the financial challenges facing Cleveland Schools, emphasizing the critical need for additional funding and strategic adjustments to maintain essential services and support for students.
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