By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Teachers will be the last to be put on the chopping block as Bowling Green City Schools faces massive cuts in the wake of COVID-19, Superintendent Francis Scruci said Tuesday evening .
“The reduction in force has to be one of the last options on the table,” Scruci said during the Zoom school board meeting.
The school district is planning for deep cuts due to the coronavirus pandemic – as deep as $3 million. And looming with the August election is the possibility that the district may lose another $2 million a year if petitioning rural areas vote to transfer to neighboring districts.
Faced with these huge losses, the possibility of cutting personnel costs came up during a special board meeting last week.
Since 80% of the district’s budget is in personnel, board member Bill Clifford suggested those costs be examined.
Board member Tracy Hovest said any reduction in force should be a last resort.
“Our kids need our teachers more than anything,” she said during last week’s meeting. “We have got to look at all other avenues first.”
Board member Norm Geer also suggested that staff cuts not be discussed until absolutely necessary.
“I don’t know that we need to talk about ‘RIFing’ now,” he said. “I don’t think that’s a way to reward them for all that they’ve done.”
Scruci said during Tuesday’s meeting that school officials are dedicated to saving teaching jobs.
“Our administration team is committed to doing what we need to do to preserve those positions,” he said.
Scruci said members of the administration are meeting twice a week – with looming cuts as part of their discussions.
“Our administrators are very well aware that we’re looking at tough times and going to have to tighten our belts,” he said.
The administrators have agreed to take a freeze on their salaries for the next year, Scruci said.
Scruci repeated his concern that Gov. Mike DeWine needs to make a decision about whether K-12 education will meet in school buildings or online in the fall.
“This is a historical time,” he said. “A time where there are more questions than answers.”
If schools are expected to maintain social distancing, that would mean a classroom that normally has 30 desks could just have nine desks. And a typical bus could transport 12 to 25 students at a time – compared to the 65 students that can be carried now. Those limitations would require more buses and more bus drivers. The typical school bus costs between $80,000 and $100,000.
If school is held in buildings, there will be discussions about operating half days or alternating days. There will be a need for face masks, hand-washing stations, temperatures to be taken at homes prior to children coming to school, and a ban on school visitors.
Superintendents across the state need some direction from the state – soon, Scruci said.
“We’re all currently creating plans with a lack of direction,” he said.
Scruci said DeWine seems to be listening more to affluent school districts in the Columbus area.
“Northwest Ohio is not represented at the table with the governor,” Scruci said. “The challenges we have may not be the same” as those at more wealthy suburban districts.
Ultimately, Scruci said his main concern is safety.
“For me, it’s always going to come back to the safety of our students and staff,” he said.
If the state leaves decisions up to local school districts, Scruci said local families and staff will be surveyed about their willingness to send their children to school, and willingness to come to work.
“I think we’re at a very difficult crossroad,” he said. “We have to account for those families who aren’t comfortable sending their children to school until there is a vaccine available.”
Scruci also told the board that the district plans to continue its lunch deliveries to students through the summer.
“This is our responsibility to our district and to our students,” he said.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, Board President Ginny Stewart thanked district voters for “overwhelmingly” passing two levies on the primary ballot.
The vote shows support for the district and its teachers, she said.
“It sends the message that you support them and all they do to educate our children,” Stewart said.
In other business, the board renewed contracts for the following administrative staff:
- Daniel Black, high school assistant principal
- Abigail Forschner, director of food service
- Dawn Dazell, human resources administrator
- Zebulun Kellough, Crim Elementary principal
- Christie Walendzak, special needs coordinator
Also at the meeting, Scruci reminded the board about the senior graduation parade planned for May 31, starting at 2 p.m. Residents are asked to line the parade route that runs from the high school, west on Poe Road, south on Haskins Road, east on Wooster Street, north on Main Street, west on Poe Road, and north on Fairview Avenue to the middle school parking lot.
Board member Tracy Hovest reported that the items collected for the annual Trivia Night auction will be auctioned off online on May 27, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
