Three schools and 100 jobs slated for Mansfield City Schools cuts

The Mansfield City School District Financial Planning and Supervision Commission met today to discuss the Initial Recovery Plan. The commission will meet again on April 29 to adopt the plan presented today. The commission is recommending the closure of three schools and a reduction in force of 20 percent.

Despite the advance from the State Solvency Assistance Fund in the amount of $3,685,000, which is anticipated in April, additional tax levy funds, property tax revenue and projected state aid will not be adequate to reach solvency without significant cuts.

The $3.5 million in cuts will largely be the result of a 20 percent reduction in force, roughly 100 jobs will be cut. According to Superintendent Brian Garverick, cuts will be made outside of the classroom first. Given that the teaching staff are the largest line item on the budget, some teaching positions will be eliminated.

Three schools have been slated for closure as well. The Spanish Immersion School; Mansfield Integrated Learning Center, formerly the Alternative school; and Newman schools were selected based on two factors. “The district looked at enrollment and the condition of the buildings,” said Garverick.

Additional cuts will come from eliminating the sixth period pay for career technologies, and the elimination of two football, and two basketball coaches.

The commission will continue to review other expenditure reductions including, but not limited to, health care insurance, food service, plant operation and maintenance costs, and collective purchasing. As these expenditures are evaluated and implemented they will become a part of the recovery plan.

Ten people spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. The anticipated cuts were an emotional topic for many who spoke as well as members of the audience.

Andrew Course is a second grade student at Spanish Immersion School. He first spoke in Spanish, then gave the English translation for his speech. “I like my school because I speak Spanish all day. I have learned how to read and write and do math all in Spanish. I have friends from Mansfield, Ontario, and Shelby. By going to this school I have learned Spanish and can communicate with people from Spain and Mexico. Please think of the kids at my school when you make the cuts to Mansfield City Schools.”

Course’s speech garnered rousing applause.

Jay Arbaugh is the Superintendent of Keystone Schools and he sends his children to Spanish Immersion School as open enrollment students. “I think the important thing with this program is the education. It’s an integrated program in an urban environment with high achievement.”

There were two empty seats at the commission’s table. Governor John Kasich has not yet made his appointment to the commission and Mark Brunn participated via speakerphone. Arbaugh opened his remarks by saying, “I would say that having two people absent at a meeting that is going to effect this many people is not a good idea,” the auditorium erupted in applause.

Some teachers chose to speak as well. Mary Jo Lux is a preschool teacher at Sherman Elementary. “Every child in Mansfield is worthy. And I don’t envy you, and I do appreciate your time, but think about these children, every single one of them,” said Lux.

The principal of Newman Elementary school, Lori Pierce, gave a tearful and impassioned speech. “We have stuck together, we are a family and we are dedicated to the students that we have. When you make your decision, I want you to think about the first grade student that we have that used to hide underneath the tables and now she is a vibrant first grader who just made the highest score in our math bee,” said Pierce.

During the formal portion of the meeting the commission read the proposal and explained the ongoing process. The details of the cuts will be outlined in coming weeks and will be finalized with a vote at the end of April. Then the recommendation will go to the state for approval.

According to Paul Marshall, designee of the State Superintendent, the failure of the renewal levy in 2012 was a significant factor in the district’s financial crisis.

“The district lost about four million dollars in revenue. I would say that loss of four million dollars in revenue was the single biggest factor that really put the district behind the financial eight ball,” said Marshall.

Garverick added that policies at the state level couldn’t be ignored.

“Also understand that the house and the senate continue to pass legislation that does not support the common public school. The legislation that is coming out of Columbus really favors the academies, the charter schools–these are for profit entities that are popping up, primarily in urban districts. They will spread,” said Garverick, “Yeah, the voucher system got a slow start since 1991, but has really gained momentum and the charter schools came on the scene, and online schools like ECOT. If you look at their report cards, they’re not glowing, they are not glowing overall. And Mansfield City Schools, we can compete with them in terms of report card we do exceed them in many cases.”

Arbaugh questioned the commission regarding the portion of the budget being redirected to charter schools, but Marshall indicated that the commission couldn’t speak to that issue.

“I think it’s misrepresented, it’s murky, and people don’t understand how it works, and there is no accountability for charter schools,” said Arbaugh.

The devastating impact on the community isn’t lost on Garverick, who argues that the legislature has failed the Mansfield community. “This is hurting our communities, the way we fund schools. And the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that it’s unconstitutional, not once, not twice, but several times, still they continue to pass legislation violating the constitution and how we fund schools, imagine that. And no one is being held accountable.”

The commission will vote to adopt the Initial Recovery Plan on April 29, 2014. The meeting will be another open forum with opportunity for public comment.

“When you make your decision, I want you to think about the first grade student that we have that used to hide underneath the tables and now she is a vibrant first grader who just made the highest score in our math bee,” said Principal Lori Pierce.