POLAND SCHOOLS Board makes cutbacks

The district is estimated to be in debt by $228,113 by the end of 2003.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- There were several sighs, looks of frustration and much discussion, but Poland school board members approved a plan for the district to survive in the wake of the failure of a 3.9-mill levy.
The board passed a resolution to place a 6.9-mill, five-year emergency operating levy on the ballot in February.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Zorn said the state will require the levy be placed on the ballot again in May and again in November, should it fail, because the district will be in debt.
Zorn explained that the millage increased because the district must make up for the money that would have been generated by the defeated three-year levy in addition to what's needed to eliminate the district's debt. The state requires a five-year operating budget plan.
The board, in accordance with Ohio Department of Education requirements, also passed a resolution requesting the auditor of state to audit the district immediately or as soon as possible.
Projected debt
With the failed levy, the district is expected to be in debt by $228,113 by the end of the 2003 school year. Zorn released a list of immediate cuts that would have to be made in order to bring the district to a zero balance. The immediate cuts would save the district $233,000.
"I have tried to minimize the cuts, but I want to point out that one or two major events could put us back in the red," he said. "This is not a Bob Zorn idea. If I or the board do not make these budget cuts, the state will."
One of the immediate cuts that Zorn said broke his heart -- and several board members took issue with -- was eliminating tutoring for pupils who need help in proficiency test areas. The tutoring sessions were a new concept and slated to begin after the election with money that already has been set aside.
Cutting the tutoring will save about $21,000.
Should the proposed 6.9-mill levy fail in February, the district has another list of cuts that would have to be made at that time to cover a projected $1.3 million deficit in fiscal year 2004, which begins July 1, 2003. All the immediate cuts also would remain in place.
Zorn said if a levy is not passed by the end of fiscal year 2003 -- June 30, 2003 -- the board will have to bargain with the teachers union to eliminate some faculty positions. He said nonacademic positions would likely go before academic course instructors.
jgoodwin@vindy.com