The Akron Board of Education is due to make decisions on Monday about two major issues they’ve been discussing for months. One is a proposed levy that would raise money for operating expenses and to build a new North High School. The other is proposed cuts that would save the school district $24 million next year.
Here, we answer some questions about both decisions.
Why is the school district considering levies? Are they really needed?
Akron Public Schools’ five-year forecast would put them in the red in 2027 without more money coming in. In the years before that, the district would be eating into its financial reserves to fund salaries and programs.
It’s been 12 years since the last APS levy and in that time, costs have risen, even as enrollment has dropped. Last year, the Board of Education approved 10.5% raises for teachers over three years, adding about $21 million in costs. Those raises also included a provision to keep employee healthcare costs flat. That means the district has to cover an average healthcare increase of 8.5%.
At the same time, the school system doesn’t benefit from rising property values in its existing levies — even though taxes have gone up, the school district isn’t getting additional money from homeowners. That’s because a state law from the 1970s locks in tax rates, tying them to the year they were approved.
What is the school district asking for?
Members of the Board of Education are supposed to vote Monday on a proposal that would send two levies to residents to consider in November. The levies on the ballot would be decided with one vote. One would raise $25.7 million a year to pay for school operations; that’s a levy of 7.6 mills. Each year, the owner of a home with an appraised value of $100,000 would pay $266 if the proposal is approved. There is no end date for that tax.
The board is also considering a proposal to pay for a new North High School. That building is in disrepair and students and teachers have complained about a foul odor, poor heat regulation and falling ceiling tiles.
After the district made its plan to turn schools into community learning centers, it left North High School off the list because of the shrinking population there. Since then, the immigrant community in that area has boomed. That’s led to the need for a new school.
A levy for a new North High School would raise $4.4 million a year for 35 years to pay back an $85 million bond. For a home with an appraised value of $100,000, that would cost $45.50 each year.
Together, the proposals would cost $311.50 each year for someone whose home is appraised at $100,000.
How do I know how much my home is worth?
Your appraised value can be found on your tax bill. You can also look it up online on the Summit County Fiscal Officer’s website using your address.
When would this go into effect?
If the levy is on the ballot and approved in November, collections will begin in January 2025.
Why do they need to raise my taxes if they’re also making cuts?
Spending on education increased during the coronavirus pandemic with the help of $150 million in federal funds. Akron Public Schools hired teachers and tutors to help prevent pandemic learning loss, largely by using that money. Now that that money has run out, the district has to absorb the increased costs or pull back on spending.
Superintendent Michael Robinson has talked about the need to right-size the district and to better align what students need with the funds APS has available. Additionally, the district has been overspending its budget in recent months, dipping into reserves to cover costs.
What cuts are they considering?
The cuts proposed by the administration last week include eliminating 66.5 teaching positions in the classroom, as well as the nonrenewal of 77 substitute tutor positions. They also include 58 teaching positions that are outside the classroom, 16 administrative positions, 15 support staff positions, 11 custodial positions and 42 other jobs. Altogether, those cuts would save the district $24 million.
The elimination of 285 positions would be effective July 1.
Does that mean 285 people would lose their jobs?
Of the 285 jobs, 104 positions do not have full-time employees in them and six are held by employees who are retiring. Of the remainder, 169.5 positions would be eliminated and 5.5 would experience reduced hours.
What would the district be cutting?
The teaching jobs the administration is proposing it eliminate include:
- 11 English Language Arts teachers in 7th through 12th grade
- Four English Language Arts teachers in 4th through 9th grade
- Six math teachers in 7th through 12th grade
- One math teacher in 4th through 9th grade
- Three science teachers in 7th through 12th grade
- One kindergarten through 12th grade science teacher
- 11 social studies teachers in 7th through 12th grade
- One social studies teacher in 4th through 9th grade
- 14 teachers for younger grades.
Four secretaries, 10 student success coaches, three school climate team members, three academic advocates and one behavior climate coach are also among the proposed positions to be cut.
On top of that, 77 substitute tutor contracts wouldn’t be renewed.
What does the Akron Education Association think?
Don Malarcik, an attorney representing the teachers’ union, said he has “deep concerns that this administration is actively engaging in union busting” by eliminating positions at the district headquarters that are currently held by union members. The district is asking for more money to hire nonunion members into jobs at district headquarters, said Pat Shipe, the AEA president.
Malarcik said the district is surrounded by “chaos and uncertainty” at a time when student success should instead be celebrated. He urged union members to come to the district headquarters, at 10 N. Main St. at 4 p.m. Monday, to hear more information ahead of the 5:30 p.m. Board of Education meeting.
Shipe said the decision to roll out cuts at the end of May seems unnecessarily rushed. She said she’s still not sure that the AEA has complete information about what roles and individuals would be eliminated.
Mark Williamson, a spokesperson for the district, said APS does not engage in this practice and would not respond to assertions based on speculation.
What’s the effect of these proposed cuts?
The district has said class sizes are expected to be higher. Other effects will be determined.
Will these decisions solve the district’s financial problems?
No, probably not. Robinson has said there could be more cuts coming next year and the year after, and the district has said it won’t be able to go 12 years again without asking for a new levy.
Haven’t I heard about this before?
Likely yes. The Akron Public Schools’ treasurer and CFO has been talking about the need to pass a levy and cut expenses to improve the district’s financial position for several months.
