Board wants input on cuts

Struthers has been nominated for the Blue Ribbon Schools Program.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- A team of school administrators led by Superintendent Sandra DiBacco is expected to make recommendations to the school board for more program and staff cuts before the end of the year.
Because of the failure of the 6.9-mill additional continuing tax levy at the Nov. 8 election, DiBacco estimated that an additional $350,000 in curriculum and personnel cuts will be necessary to end the 2005-06 school year in June without a deficit. She said state law prohibits deficit spending. If it had passed, the 6.9-mill levy would have generated $911,000 a year.
DiBacco said school administrators and the board want to make cuts that will do the least amount of damage to the education program.
Additional cuts will impact the education program more deeply than those already made since the school district was placed in fiscal emergency, said Board President Matthew Rhoads.
The board wants input from the school administration and the state-appointed Financial Planning and Supervision Commission before making a decision on cuts. Also, DiBacco said she has requested a state audit of the school district's finances.
Rhoads indicated a decision on cuts would likely come before the end of the year at a special meeting or the board's regular December meeting. He invited the two newly elected board members to take part in the discussions.
Rhoads said the board does not support a special election in February for another levy try, which DiBacco said would cost $15,000 to $16,000. Also, Rhoads said the board opposes cutting bus service, which would result in minimal savings and would not be worth the inconvenience to parents.
But, said DiBacco, there will be a levy on the spring primary election ballot. The amount hasn't been determined.
Recognition
Ironically, the certainty of cuts that will impact educational programs comes at the same time as the school district has been nominated for the federal No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program.
Struthers Schools is one of only 14 public schools in Ohio to be nominated for the honor by the Ohio Department of Education. The nomination is based on the district's excellent proficiency test scores, DiBacco said.
"It's wonderful to be nominated. It's a tribute to the hard work of the administration, teachers, parents and students," the superintendent said.
In other action, the board approved the Struthers High School Band for travel to the Chicago Music Festival competition April 28-30. There will be no cost to the school district associated with the trip. Band members will raise the money for the trip.
The band placed second in its class in state competition. Its Guardline and Percussion Ensemble were each first in their class and received Superior ratings.
alcorn@vindy.com