Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools can hold off at least a year on triennial levy cycle

As part of the $135 million bond issue, work continues on Monticello and, shown here, Roxboro middle schools, both scheduled to reopen next year.  (File photo)

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- With $750,000 in annual cuts planned in coming years, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District's three-year levy cycle can be pushed back into 2020.

But the deadline is Friday (Nov. 2) to apply for a spot on the district's Lay Finance Committee, which will work as a liaison to the community, assisting in identifying and passing along budget information to residents.

"With a new levy cycle approaching, it's important that we do have an active Lay Finance Committee," said school district spokesman Scott Wortman.

The group, which has been around in some form at least since the 1980s, will work with district Treasurer Scott Gainer to review audits and recommend future levies in terms of millage amount, duration and timing for placement on the ballot.

The last levy was passed in November 2016 and, at 5.5 mills (anticipated $5.8 million a year), was a slightly scaled-down version of a 5.9-mill proposal that was voted down in May 2015.

Prior to that, and separate from operating levies, district voters passed a $135 million bond issue in November 2013. This funded renovations at Heights High, along with Monticello, Roxboro and Wiley middle schools, the last to serve as a "swing school" during both projects.

"The current operating levy was meant to last three years before the district would have to go back on the ballot to avoid negative cash reserves," a school district press release stated.

But in a recent financial update, Gainer noted that the five-year forecast includes annual cuts of $750,000 beginning with the 2019-20 school year budget and continuing through 2023 to stretch the district's operating funds.

"There have not been any specific decisions made about where the cuts will come from in the 2019-20 budget, but the district is committed to minimizing the effect on classroom instruction," Wortman said.

As a result, the school board and administration will instead look at:

-- reducing building and departmental budgets

-- supplementing the general fund with grants where applicable

-- streamlining supplemental contract offerings

-- reducing staff through attrition as retirements and resignations come up

Previously, the district made $5 million in permanent budget cuts in the 2015-16 school year, then $3.25 million worth of staffing reductions in 2016-17, prior to the passage of the most recent levy.

To apply for the CH-UH Lay Finance Committee, please visit the district's website or call the board of education offices at (216) 371-7171.

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