Brecksville-Broadview Heights Board of Education Discusses More Possible Budget Cuts

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights Board of Education spent much of Monday night’s lengthy meeting talking about financial concerns.  

Finances have been at the center of many Board of Education meetings the past few months. The district moved forward on more than  earlier this year; the district also saw a earlier this month. There’s also a on the August ballot, a levy that wouldn’t raise taxes for voters but that has what Superintendent Scot Prebles called “significant” financial implications for the district.

During Monday's meeting at the , Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Karen Obratil went over the district’s revised five-year forecast, noting changes for the current year from the forecast made in the fall. Obratil pointed out that while revenue was down by about $289,000, the district had spent about $948,000 less than expected, making the end-of-the-year balance a little better than planned. 

But that good news was overshadowed by the district’s current financial problems. Board members discussed the proposed budget cuts from the state and how that would affect the district. 

Prebles gave a presentation on the how the proposed state budget could affect the district – current numbers show the district losing about $2.9 million in state funding next year – and some ways the district could trim spending. Prebles noted that the proposed cuts still wouldn’t fill the gap left by the expected decrease in state money, but that any more cuts would “dramatically, negatively,” affect education in the classroom.

Those optional cuts were based on the categories used in the district’s restructuring plan. Most of the options Prebles presented would lead to job reductions – fewer special education classroom assistants and fewer custodians, for example. Other options include reducing jobs by merging responsibilities or not filling spots left by retiring teachers. Prebles reassured the board that any reductions in areas like special education would not leave students without the assistance they need.

One non-job-related option was to increase pay-to-participate fees to 100 percent for families, compared to the current 80 percent. 

Prebles said the options presented are “not enjoyable for anyone in the room,” and they are still just that – options. The board decided to schedule an additional meeting at 6 p.m. on June 2 where members can discuss the proposed cuts in more depth, as well as explore other options. 

Board member David Tryon asked if it would be possible to discuss re-opening negotiations with the unions to try to find more savings. The rest of the board agreed that it would be a worthwhile discussion, and members planned to look into it at the June 2 meeting.

Board President George J. Balasko said that no matter what, he thinks members will have to move forward with some cuts. 

“I don’t see any other way around it, even with the best reports we’re hearing from the state,” Balasko said.