ELIDA, Ohio (WLIO) - The Elida School Board of Education has decided to make significant cuts for the 2025-2026 school year as the district continues to struggle financially.
5 of those positions are in Elida High School, while the remaining 2 and 4 positions are in Elida Middle School and Elida Elementary School, respectively.
First, the Elida School Board unanimously voted to eliminate 11 teaching positions in the district. 5 of those positions are in Elida High School, while the remaining 2 and 4 positions are in Elida Middle School and Elida Elementary School, respectively. 4 supplemental contract positions were eliminated and over 90 supplemental salary positions are receiving a 23% pay reduction. School administrators also received 2- or 3-day reductions in their contract days. After the meeting, we spoke with Elida Superintendent, Joel Mengerink, about what led to these cuts and what they mean for the district.
“In facing a deficit of a million dollars this year and $1.5 million next year, the board made the decision tonight to make about $1.37 million in cuts to some staffing. What we're trying to do is to get out ahead of things, you know, making those cuts now. $1.37 million per year, so it's about $2.7 million over the two-year period that we will save that kind of money, so that puts us pretty even based on this year's deficit, next year's deficit, going into what that renewal levy could suffice for us,” says Joel Mengerink, Superintendent, Elida Local Schools.
The renewal levy Mengerink mentioned will appear on the May 6th ballot in an attempt to raise $2.7 million annually.
The renewal levy Mengerink mentioned will appear on the May 6th ballot in an attempt to raise $2.7 million annually.
