Mansfield City BOE approves new 5-year forecast; Mind Body Align services at Spanish Immersion

MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Schools’ projected three-year deficit dropped $2.9 million in the district’s newest five-year forecast.

School board members voted Tuesday to approve an updated five-year forecast that reflected the closure of the Tyger Digital Academy and other recent cost-saving measures.

Treasurer Barb Donohue’s May forecast projected the district’s unreserved cash balance would drop to negative $123,267 during the 2025-2026 school year.

Tuesday’s update shows a predicted positive cash balance through the 2026-2027 school year.

District’s deficit reduction plan approved by Ohio Dept. of Education and Workforce

Donohue prepared the updated five-year forecast at the request of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW).

Last month, the board approved a written plan to be submitted to ODEW, outlining steps the district will take to reduce its deficit spending.

Mansfield City Schools was required to submit that plan because the district’s last five-year forecast, issued in May, projected the district would have a negative fund balance within three years.

“They want you to put in a written plan to them so they know districts are preparing for the future,” Donohue explained at the July board meeting.

“By the time they had contacted the Mansfield City Schools, Mansfield City Schools had already taken several steps to offset any of that moving forward,” she added.

Mansfield City School’s deficit reduction plan did not include any future spending cuts, only ones already approved by the board, Donohue said.

According to the treasurer, those reductions include the closure of the Tyger Digital Academy and adjustments to two contracts for wrap-around services.

Donohue also said the district implemented $1.2 million in budget cuts for the 2024-25 school year in May. Those cuts included 16-percent reductions across department and building budgets.

According to Donohue, ODEW approved the district’s plan, but required an updated five-year forecast as a follow-up.

Board approves social emotional learning, mindfulness education for Spanish Immersion

The board also approved a $31,217 proposal from Mind Body Align for services and professional development at Spanish Immersion. The program will be paid for with Title IV grant funds, according to director of student support programs Holly Christie.

Christie told board members that Mind Body Align has previously provided social and emotional learning (SEL) and mindfulness education services to other buildings in the district.

“They have 16 lessons for 15 minutes each for eight weeks, and they teach students how to focus, pay attention and regulate their behavior,” she said.

Christie said Spanish Immersion Principal Michael Brennan requested the mindfulness program be expanded at the school after an uptick in student mental health issues following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Following COVID, teachers found that the program had positive effects on the student body,” Brennan wrote in a statement, which Christie read to the board.

“At Spanish Immersion, we have seen a significant increase with anxiety and depression throughout the grade levels. Students are often absent or arrive late to school while dealing with anxiety issues.

“Several students call home in order to have their parents pick them up rather than ride the school bus. Parents are often impressed when they hear about their students learning about mindfulness.

“Parents are grateful for the program and recognize the benefits it brings to their students’ lives at school and at home.

“Studies show what we already know, that anxiety and depression has increased significantly in the past couple of years, and it is important that we address the needs of our student population,” Brennan wrote.