Schools

VIDEO Woodridge Superintendent: It's Time to Reconsider a Levy

The district's leader outlines budget reductions and anticipates news from Columbus.

The Woodridge Local School district has run the numbers and is ready to ask for voters support, again.

“We now have a more clear picture, and it will be even clearer by June before taking action in July,” said Walter Davis, Woodridge Local Schools superintendent. “It’s time to reconsider our levy,” he told the board of education at Tuesday night’s meeting.

from the May ballot after Walter advised it was too soon at that time to know how much the district needed from the voters and that postponing the levy was the right decision.

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Davis anticipates the district's will see an almost 30 percent cut in state funding, which amounts to about $300,000 annually. Davis said finalized numbers from the state budget cuts are expected sometime in June. Davis said the proposed 6.7 mill levy that the district pulled off the ballot in May, would be “very appropriate” for a levy in the fall.

At the meeting, Davis took the time to detail out how recent budget cuts have helped save the district money. He explained that Tier I and Tier II budget cuts saved the district a combined $1,436,500.

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Here's a list of where the cost-savings came from:

Tier I Budget Cuts- November 2010

Totaled $739,500

Salary and benefit reductions: $450,000

  • One middle school teacher
  • One part-time technology specialist position
  • Reduction of extended time (supplemental contracts)
  • Six paraprofessional positions
  • One at-risk coordinator position
  • Restricted overtime
  • Restricted field trips
  • Reduced the K-5 assistant secretarial hours
  • attrition savings

Non-salary reductions: $289,500

  • Transferred textbook allocation to PI fund
  • Reduced maintenance budget
  • Restricted professional development/leave accounts
  • Reduced supply allocations (1/2 510 object)
  • Reduced all general fund equipment allocations
  • Reduced new library book allocations
  • Reduced general fund software allocations

 

Tier II Budget Cuts- May

Total Savings: $697,000

These cuts were personnel focus and the district focused on limiting the number of jobs lost by restructuring and reassigning staff. Walter said the new administrative salary grid for new hires was revamped.

Certified Staff- Teaching:$534,000

  • Two reductions in force, (WMS- FCS/WMS- Art)
  • One Kindergarten section
  • One third grade section
  • One Woodridge High School English position (attrition)
  • One HPE position (attrition)
  • Two additional attrition positions

 Support Staff: $43,000

  • Two positions through attrition

 Certified Staff (Administration): $120,000

  • Resignations/new hires on new salary schedule
  • Reduced one administrative position by combining the Assistant High School Principal position with the High School Athletic Director’s position. This job will be posted soon.


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