The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW), after examining the Ravenna School District’s (RSD) May 2024 five-year forecast, has placed the RSD in a state of Fiscal Caution. This declaration is based on projected deficits of -$3,143,154 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, and -7,010,642 in FY26. This designation requires the district to create and submit to the ODEW a plan for expenditure reductions and became effective on June 22, 2024.
In an effort to address the financial situation, the RSD has attempted to pass a levy several times, the most recent attempt in November of 2023. Additionally, the district has implemented several expenditure reductions, including the recently announced change to busing policies. For the 2024-25 school year, the RSD will no longer transport high school students, and has increased the walking distance to one-half mile for grades K-8.
Other cost-saving measures include:
Reduction in force of seven (7) teachers; Attrition of 16 teaching positions (retirement or resignation); Reduction in force of three (3) classified positions; Reduction of one district administrative position; Reduction in extracurricular activities resulting in fewer supervisory positions.
The district will continue to look for other ways to reduce the deficit, including examining our service contracts for savings opportunities and the possible consolidation of buildings in the coming years. We are also hopeful that the levy scheduled for the November, 2024 ballot will be successful.
The District recently hired Ms. Kristen Plageman as treasurer, who will begin her role on July 15, 2024. She will replace Ms. Lukat who resigned in March. In the interim, the district is working with the Educational Service Center and North Coast Shared Services Alliance and interim Treasurer, Mr. Ryan Pendleton, along with Fiscal Support Specialist, Ms. Sherry Tyson (former treasurer) to help navigate the transition and the impending deficit reduction actions necessitated by the updated forecast.
