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Falls board cuts staff

15 positions affected

NEWTON FALLS — Citing financial hardship because of less funding from the state and declining student enrollment, the Newton Falls Board of Education on Thursday voted to cut 15 positions effective next school year.

The positions eliminated were seven teachers — one each in kindergarten, first and second grade at the elementary school, one each in fourth and fifth grade at the middle school, and one each in social studies and English language arts at the high school.

Classified positions to be reduced are administrative assistant, daytime custodian, evening custodian, three cafeteria positions and one cafeteria van driver / cafeteria helper, all at the elementary school, and EMIS / guidance administrative assistant.

Newton Falls Exempted Village School District officials also are looking at closing the elementary school as a cost savings and may move forward with that action at their April meeting. Superintendent Paul Woodard said with the reduction of 15 positions and the closing of the elementary school, the district would save $350,000 annually, including nearly $54,000 on utilities at the closed school.

Woodard said there are just 29 students enrolled in kindergarten for next year, with some elementary grades at 70 students.

The district has seen the loss of 610 students between 1990 and 2017, which translates to a loss of $3.66 million in state funding because funds follow a student when he or she goes to another district through open enrollment or a charter school. Each student brings approximately $6,000 to his home district.

Woodard said if enrollment continues to decline at the current rate, the district will have fewer than 925 students by 2022.

Woodard said he went to Columbus and spoke to state officials, telling them Newton Falls is a district with very little industry and has only passed one new levy in 24 years. Voters approved a 4-mill, five-year renewal levy in 2011 that generates $592,720 and a new five-year levy in 2015 that generates $765,597.

“We are constantly cutting and trimming. It is hard for us to keep our doors open,” Woodard said, noting some districts have had to consolidate.

Woodard said the district also is looking at a shorter school calendar for the 2018-19 school year, with a longer school day and less days in class. He said he spoke to Weathersfield school officials, who informed him they save $10,000 annually with a shorter school year, with most of the savings in substitute costs.

The Newton Falls district has a shared services agreement with Lordstown to save money and has cut positions.

“We are doing whatever we can to keep the doors open,” said Board President Debra Davis.

Treasurer Jonathan Pusateri said the district will be in deficit spending by fiscal year 2018, with an ending fund balance of negative $1.9 million by 2021.

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