South Range district residents blast school officials

NORTH LIMA

A couple hundred residents of the South Range School District sounded off at a community forum Wednesday night at the K-12 complex in Beaver Township amid concerns the district could introduce open enrollment, cut almost 30 members of its staff and possibly put a levy on November’s ballot.

Superintendent Dennis Dunham and Treasurer/CFO Jim Phillips outlined possible budget deficits, which could be as high as $2.1 million in 2013 and $5.9 million in 2014.

“It’s not a pretty picture,” Phillips said. “It’s not anybody’s fault. That’s just the way it is.”

Dunham said in the last three weeks he has spoken with 30 employees and told them their jobs are not assured next year and said the soonest a possible layoff notice would occur is April.

Phillips said the cuts would shave $500,000 in personnel costs.

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