CINCINNATI — Forest Hills School District plans to make $750,000 in cuts, including the elimination of several teaching positions, central office positions and raising the cost of preschool tuition. More cuts will need to be made if the district's May levy fails, according to Superintendent Larry Hook.
The $750,000 in reductions will be immediately implemented at the end of the current school year, regardless of the outcome of the levy, while the additional cuts will need to take place before the start of the 2023-2024 school year unless the district's levy passes.
According to Hook's presentation Wednesday, the immediate cuts include:
- Removing one administrator and two learning design specialist positions, which will reduce instructional support and professional development for teachers. Hook's presentation said this will have a negative impact on district-wide curriculum and the development of courses of study.
- Eliminating three secondary certified teachers "through retirements and resignations," which will increase class sizes and possibly mean that some courses won't be able to run because of staff availability.
- Eliminating two support roles in elementary schools, which reduces the specialized resources and support available.
- Reducing the budget for each building by 2.5%, reducing the funds available for classroom supplies
- Reducing summer school offerings because of reduced staff
- Increasing preschool tuition by $308 per student
The reductions "are part of FHSD's effort to meet its obligation to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars ... with minimal impact on student learning," according to the presentation.
"I wish I could sit here and tell you that it wouldn't be impactful, but it will," Hook said. "That one will hurt. That one cuts deep."
If voters don't support the levy appearing on the ballot in May, the district will need to make an additional $1.6 million in reductions "to delay a potential negative cash balance." Those cuts include "pay to play" costing $300 per sport at both Turpin and Anderson, class sizes increasing and a possible change to start times for schools in the district.
The district would be forced to cut $400,000 in transportation fees by reducing the amount of bus drivers, routes and maintenance; that would change district start and pick-up times by as much as 30 minutes, said Hook's presentation.
The levy, which voters will decide to pass or reject in May, is a 6.9 mill combination levy, which includes a 5.4 mill levy for operating costs and a 1.5 mill permanent improvement levy. That would increase property taxes by $20.13 per month per $100,000 of home value — so a home worth $200,000 would see a $40.26 increase monthly.
"You're ... asking people, 'Hey, is this important enough for you to increase your taxes?' That's it, pure and simple," Hook said.
The levy does not provide funding for any additional staff or programming that does not already exist; rather, it's intended to allow the district to retain teachers and staff, while being able to afford textbooks and other educational supplies and materials, according to a breakdown of the levy on the district's website. The 1.5 mill permanent improvement levy will be used to pay for "technology expenditures, buses and costs related to facility and equipment maintenance," according to the site.
Some said the district's "Culture of Kindness" resolution, which bans discussion of topics like race, gender, class and sexuality, is standing in the way. Community members asked the board to rescind the resolution to regain trust and build support around the levy.
"I know that rescinding the resolution and being kind by doing so would really be an important step in board communicating, 'We are hearing you and we're going to take this step so that we can get the levy passed,'" parent Natalie Hastings said.
Forest Hills School District entered deficit spending this year, the district said, which will result in a negative cash balance by 2026 if changes are not made.
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