In wake of the state auditor declaring Mansfield City Schools to be in fiscal emergency back in December, a state supervised commission was formed to implement a cost reduction plan for the districts estimated $4.5 million deficit. That commission released its first proposed plan Thursday afternoon, which outlines substantial cuts to school buildings and staff. Mansfields Financial Planning and Supervision Commission proposed a decision to cut 100 jobs in the district, while also closing down the Newman Elementary, Spanish Immersion School and Mansfield Alternative School buildings. Chairperson Paul Marshall with the Ohio Department of Education says he does not like this part of the job and wishes they could do otherwise, but added with the situation the district is in, we have to reduce the number of employees. We have no choice. Marshall cites a renewal levy which was voted down by Mansfield tax payers, costing the district roughly $4 million as the biggest factor in the latest proposed cuts. Mansfield City Schools Superintendent Brian Garverick however, believes the schools financial burdens extend way beyond the failed levy. The House and Senate continue to pass legislation that does not support the common public school. Garverick remarked. He suggests that state laws favor academies and charter schools, which is hurting our communities the way we fund schools. An emotional Garverick added I feel for our families, I feel for our students. This hurts having to make these cuts. The commission will vote on a final recovery plan April 29 to meet the May 2 deadline, which must then be approved by the Ohio Department of Education. Marshall said earlier in the year that Mansfield was the 40th district placed into fiscal emergency around the state, with 33 having been released. He says it typically takes a district four years to get out of fiscal emergency and believes Mansfield can accomplish that feat even sooner.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:52:07 +0000
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