Liberty school board to meet with state panel to consider more cuts, tax levy, other options

Liberty school board to meet with state panel to consider more cuts, tax levy, other options

Staff report

Liberty

Local and state officials are hoping to create a new road to financial recovery for the school district.

The Liberty Board of Education will meet Monday with the state-appointed financial oversight commission for the first time since the district fell into fiscal emergency in 2011.

Paul Marshall, chairman of the oversight commission, said he hopes to discuss staffing, shared services and a potential tax levy with the board.

“At some point, some one is going to have to ask the voters for more money, but reductions come first,” he said.

In January, the board unanimously approved a $1.2 million deficit-reduction plan that eliminated 16.5 full-time jobs.

Marshall said the district is looking at $1.3 million in cuts by next year, but that number could drop after the treasurer and the auditor further review the district’s finances.

Superintendent Stan Watson said he’s willing to listen to the commission, but the prospect of cutting could risk the school’s academic standing. The school was designated effective, according to the Ohio Department of Education’s 2010-2011 report card. He said more budget reductions could jeopardize student performance.

“How can we continue a good job in the classroom with more cuts?” said Watson.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.