On the heels of a levy victory on November 5, Mansfield City Schools returned to the daunting task of addressing critical budget cuts.
Some voters were surprised to learn that more cuts would follow the levy passage; however, Superintendent Brian Garverick clarified this point, “The district never claimed the levy would prevent cuts. I was very clear that regardless of the outcome [of the election] cuts were imminent.”
Garverick explained the ongoing process, “As reported several times previously, we have cut our general fund expenses by approximately $4 million since 2010. Five central office administrative positions have been eliminated. Utility cost savings have topped $1 million. Despite these expenditure cuts and the success of Tuesday’s levy vote, Mansfield City Schools must make significant additional cuts to impact the current fiscal year. By law, we cannot have a deficit when the fiscal year ends on June 30. We are required now to develop an immediate Financial Recovery Plan for submission to the Auditor of State.”
Averting the placement in fiscal emergency is critical. Being placed in fiscal emergency would circumvent local control of Mansfield City Schools and strip decision making power from the locally elected school board.
The Auditor of State website explains, “If the analysis reveals that the district is in a severe situation, then it is placed in fiscal emergency. A five-member public commission is then created to assume powers of the board of education (the commission decides what powers they want to assume) and develop a plan for recovery.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 12 the Mansfield City Schools Board of Education will convene to continue the challenging conversation.
“Where will cuts be made? The first step toward making those decisions is the collection of data. That process is underway,” said Garverick, “We are analyzing data relating to teacher/student ratios, purchased-service contracts and the way we conduct business on a daily basis within our buildings. Every process and protocol that impacts our budget is being scrutinized for efficiency. As superintendent, I am working closely with our treasurer, central office operations personnel and our building principals. I anticipate working closely with the Mansfield School Employees Association as this process continues,” said Garverick.
These issues didn’t arise overnight and are by no means simplistic. Garverick wants to remind people that the landscape of school funding has been changing and some of the changes at the state level have had disproportionate impact on communities like Mansfield.
“School funding comes primarily from two sources: state funding and local property taxes. When people get behind or don’t pay their taxes the schools suffer,” he said. In the past the state would partially make up the difference for unpaid local tax receipts, but that is no longer the case. In the case of Mansfield this adds up to millions in lost revenue.
Despite the formidable task before the district, Garverick wants to keep the focus on the students, “I want to emphasize this point at the outset: As we approach the reductions that must be made – and made soon – our goal always will be to keep the best interests of our students and their families at the center of our work. We will seek to preserve the very best educational opportunities for our students from preschool through high school.”
Even in the face of some dark decisions ahead, Garverick was quick to sum things up on a bright note, “The Tygers are 11-0; our third and fourth graders are exceeding standards in reading and math; we’re making academic progress. Student achievement is at the center of what we do.”
“I want to emphasize this point at the outset: As we approach the reductions that must be made – and made soon – our goal always will be to keep the best interests of our students and their families at the center of our work,” stated Superintendent Brian Garverick.
