April 12th, 2024-MEDINA, Ohio-The Medina Board of Education, facing budget challenges, planned to reduce the next school year’s budget by $2 million even before the March election. However, after a 7.5-mill continuous levy proposal failed, they now aim to make an additional $2 million in cuts, totaling $4 million in reductions for the 2024-25 school year. The levy, which failed with 52.62% against and 47.38% for, was proposed following a previous bond issue and levy failure in November.
The Ohio Department of Education placed Medina City Schools on “precaution status” due to expected deficit spending within the third year of the upcoming financial forecast. Superintendent Aaron Sable presented potential cuts across various areas, including facilities, transportation, athletics, academics, and personnel. These proposed reductions include increasing pay-to-participate fees, eliminating high school bus transportation, and removing tuition-free all-day kindergarten. Board members expressed disappointment over potential cuts to programs desired by the community and discussed levy options for future funding, considering a continuous levy for stability or an emergency levy lasting up to 10 years.
