WESTERN RESERVE SCHOOLS Extracurricular programs cut to save costs after failed levy

Board members and union reps will continue to meet to decide further cuts.
By JOANN JONES
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BERLIN CENTER -- Western Reserve Board of Education has cut several extracurricular contracts in cost-saving efforts after a 4-mill operating levy failed in the Nov. 4 general election.
High school principal Jeff Zatchok, middle school principal Dale Reese, athletic director Bob Sternagle and Robert Topoleski of the teachers association, met behind closed doors with the board at its regular meeting last Thursday at the high school.
First to be cut were extra duty contracts for fifth- and sixth-grade boys and girls basketball. In the spring, the board will fill only the head coaching positions for boys track, girls track, softball and baseball. District treasurer Carol Brobst said the board members will continue to meet with representatives of T.O.W.R., the teachers association, to determine what further cuts can be made. Brobst also said the district would still accept volunteer coaches for positions not filled by the board.
Shortfalls
The levy, which would have generated $300,000 annually, failed by a total of 199 votes, Superintendent Charles Swindler said. As a result, the board had to figure in the extended time period without increased funding when setting the new dollar amount needed -- $425,000 -- for an emergency operating levy that will appear on the March 2 primary ballot. Brobst said the county auditor's office will determine the millage needed to collect that amount.
"Things are going to get ugly very quickly," Swindler said about the district's finances.
The district's revised Five Year Forecast that Brobst must send to the Ohio Department of Education now shows shortfalls of $574,000 in 2005; $1,605,000 in 2006; $2,987,000 in 2007; and $4,800,000 in 2008 if revenues remain at their current levels. The figures, which do represent a slight increase in state funding, cannot include revenue from levy renewals, Brobst said. The district currently has two operating levies that are generating funds. Board member Robert Hermiller cast the lone "no" vote in approving the forecast.
"We can't maintain a district with that deficit," Swindler said. "But three years from now, we won't be making any decisions because we'll be in fiscal emergency, and the state will come in and make the decisions."
"We're going to have some cuts," he added. "It's just a matter of how much we have to cut. We have to look at cutting athletics, busing, cafeteria and then programs."
Other actions
Board members also heard from parent Brent Gatrell who complained about the football program, saying that his son hadn't been given a chance to play as the other boys did, and adding that when he called school officials about the matter, he got no satisfaction. Board president Craig Myers told him the board "would take the matter under advisement" and get back to him about his complaint.
In personnel action, board members granted Ellsworth Elementary teacher Michele Berg a continuing contract, effective for the 2003-04 school year. They also approved district resident Lloyd Spellman as an unpaid wrestling coach for the upcoming season so that his son can participate in wrestling competition.
District resident Jason Young was hired to coach girls' freshman basketball at a salary of $3,187. Other basketball coaches hired included middle school principal Dale Reese for eighth-grade boys and middle school teacher Harry Owens for seventh-grade boys. District resident Joe Serensky was named as eighth-grade girls coach and high school teacher Paul Henderson as seventh-grade girls coach. Each of those positions also pays $3,187.
The board also added several people to the certified and classified substitute lists.