80 teaching positions would be eliminated

YOUNGSTOWN — The early permanent closing of two elementary schools and the elimination of about 140 jobs would help the Youngstown City Schools reduce spending by more than $9.6 million next school year.

That’s the estimate presented to the state Financial Planning and Supervision Commission, and it follows some $6.3 million in salary and fringe benefit cost cuts made by the district this year through the elimination of 97 jobs.

More than 80 teaching positions are targeted for elimination next year.

The state declared Youngstown to be in fiscal emergency in November 2006, prompting the formation of the fiscal recovery oversight commission to help restore the district to solvency.

The commission advised school administrators in January that they needed to put together a cost-reduction proposal for the 2007-08 school year as part of a recovery plan, and Carolyn Funk, district treasurer, presented that plan to the commission today.

For the complete story, see Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.