Dear James A Garfield School District Residents –
We are writing to inform you of the district’s need to eliminate $1.4M annually from our budget should Issue 8 fail on November 6. While we are confident the issue will pass, it would not be responsible to move forward without a plan if it were to fail. These are not reductions that we take lightly, but they are necessary to preserve what we value the most, and that is educating our students.
The district will make the following reductions if Issue 8 is not approved on November 6:
- Closure of Campus Outside School Hours – Effective January 1, 2019 all buildings and grounds will be closed outside of regular school hours. Middle and High Schools will be open Monday-Friday, 7:30am-2:45pm. Elementary School will be Monday-Friday, 8:40-3:40. There will be no evening and weekend use of the buildings and grounds.
- State Minimum Busing – Effective for the start of the 2019-2020 school year, busing will be reduced to State minimums per Ohio Revised Code 3327.01. State minimum transportation only requires transportation for students in grades Kindergarten through grade eight (8) living more than two miles from the school.
As defined by Ohio Administrative Guideline 3301-83-01, anyone living within two (2) miles of the school will not be transported to and from school. - Elimination of All Extra-Curricular Activities – Effective for the start of the 2019-2020 school year, all sports, clubs, band and extra-curricular activities will be eliminated.
These reductions will save an estimated $550,000 annually. An additional reduction of $850,000 will be made through the elimination of our 1:1 technology program, field trips and further staff reductions. These potential reductions are all unfortunate, but our district runs on very thin margins, and we will need to implement each of these reductions in order to achieve an additional $1.4M deficit.
The chart below outlines the specific cost savings of each reduction that will be taken should Issue 8 fail on November 6.
We are sharing this information because we know that it will negatively impact many families and we want to provide ample time to plan. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly at 330.527.4336 or attend one of the upcoming Community Information Sessions.
Ted Lysiak, Superintendent
Tracy Knauer, Treasurer
G-Men Unite Community Information Sessions
Learn more about Issue 8 the district’s proposed 1.5% Earned Income Tax, and how it will eliminate the $1.4 million deficit facing our district. Superintendent Ted Lysiak, and Treasurer Tracy Knauer will answer your questions at these important public sessions.
You can also learn more about Issue 8 by visiting the FAQ at gmenunite.org/faq
Sky Lanes Bowling Alley
Saturday, October 13
9:30 am – 11:30 am
Cal’s Restaurant
Tuesday, October 16
12 pm – 1 pm
Miller’s Family Restaurant
Saturday, October 20
9 am – 10 am
Garrettsville Family YMCA
Monday, October 22
9:30 am – 11 am
Cellar Door Coffee
Saturday, November 3
9 am – 11 am
