CANFIELD SCHOOLS Board votes to cut budget by $1 million

If the levy does not pass, an additional $1.6 million will need to be cut from the budget, officials said.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- The Canfield school board unanimously approved a plan to reduce spending for next school year.
A reduction of $1.17 million is needed regardless of whether voters approve a 6.9-mill, five-year operating levy that will appear on the May ballot, said Superintendent Douglas Hiscox at a special school board meeting Tuesday.
Projections indicate Canfield schools will be operating with a deficit if reductions are not made, Hiscox explained; passage of the levy will provide funds for subsequent years.
If the levy does not pass, he stressed, an additional $1.6 million would need to be cut from the budget.
Planned cuts: Among the areas where cuts would be made even if the levy passes:
UReduce materials and supplies ($45,000).
USuspend ordering new textbooks ($80,000).
USuspend ordering new educational and building equipment ($125,000).
USuspend travel for professional development ($30,000).
USuspend ordering three new buses ($195,000).
USuspend optional building repairs ($20,000).
UEliminate some athletic/extra-curricular positions ($28,000).
UEliminate director of professional development ($56,000).
UEliminate band and choral music paraprofessionals ($12,500).
UEliminate vocal music accompanists ($7,000).
If the levy fails, Hiscox said, additional cuts would involve eliminating an administrative position, reducing instructor, non-instructor and extra curricular positions and reducing the number of buses operated by eliminating some bus routes.
The deadline for submitting both plans to the state Board of Education is March 31.
During the meeting, board members also voted to renew contracts with Tim Saxton, assistant principal at the high school, Dr. Christine Jackson, director of special education, and Sharon Ickes, principal of C.H. Campbell Elementary School.
kubik@vindy.com