LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Lima City Schools plan to cut just over 24 positions to help address a budget deficit, the district announced.
The school board approved Superintendent Andre Rudolph’s recommendation for the staff reductions, which will take effect in the next school year. The district has been operating with a deficit for several years. Cutting nearly 25 positions, or roughly four percent of current staff, will reduce the $6 million deficit by about a third.
Rudolph said the reductions will not impact programs currently offered to students.
“None of those cuts, in my opinion, jeopardize anything that we currently offer. And you know that's one thing that I want to make sure that our community is aware of, is that everything your kid has access to now they will continue to have access to. I continue to say, hey, this was a part of a right sizing effort. Every year we should always look at student enrollment numbers and our staffing numbers and our student enrollment should justify our staffing numbers," Rudolph said.
The district plans to wait and see how the recent state property tax reform, which takes effect this year, will affect revenue before exploring other ways to generate funds.
“We have to take a step back and look at every avenue to determine not only what's most feasible for our community, but also what's most responsible. And I think our board does a great job of that, and they will continue to do a great job. I'll continue to be a great fiscal steward, not only for the district but for the community, because at the end of the day, I want all of my students to be able to have an amazing experience,” Rudolph added.
Positions set to be cut include teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels, a high school guidance counselor, and office and custodial staff.
