Reynoldsburg Cuts Loom With Levy Failure

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio—After the Reynoldsburg City Schools levy lost by 407 votes, the district must find a way to cut $3 million to $4 million from the next school year to remain solvent.

That will bring the total cuts in expenditures to $20 million in the last five years, which represents 37 percent in cuts.

“I’m just concerned because they’re taking orchestra out of the junior high and they don’t have it in middle schools so sooner or later, the people that are taking it as freshman are going to be beginners,“ a student said.

“Busing will not be brought back to the high school. The two-mile radius will remain and class sizes will increase,“ said Monica DeBrock, campaign co-chair.

High School Advanced Placement classes will be cut along with many electives. There will continue to be no high school busing and younger students who live within two miles of school will continue walking.

Superintendent Steve Dackin said the district has heard the message loud and clear that the community is going through hard time and more cuts need to be made.

He said the community has been supportive of three past bond issues for new buildings, but the district has not had an operating levy pass in 13 years.

Dackin said he worries the cuts will affect how and what students learn.

“Last night was very disappointing and disheartening. It’s a loss for us, but it’s not defeat because it’s only a defeat if we let it be a defeat. We’ll come back and we’ll focus on reading, writing and arithmetic because that’s now where we are,“ Dackin said.

The district may have to lower high school graduation requirements to 20 credits rather than 21, but Dackin said he doesn’t think that’s good for students.

The next school board meeting is Nov. 17.

Two new board members begin terms January 1. They will have to decide whether to try to pass a levy again next May.

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