DaytonDailyNews.com

SPRINGBORO — Rather than gifts for their teachers, students at both Five Points elementary schools gathered Christmas offerings this year for two custodians facing layoffs by the Springboro Community Local Schools.

Rocky Bangert, Todd Johnson and nine other custodians are to be cut effective Feb. 3, as the school district tightens its belt again in the aftermath of its third levy defeat, in November 2008.

Tuesday, Jan. 13, the Springboro Board of Education is scheduled to cut the custodians' jobs as part of $467,000 in budget cuts designed to bring the district's budget into balance.

"Everybody was very sad for them," said Sangita Anand, president of the PTO at Five Points East and West.

Before Christmas, teachers Traci Griffen and Shawn Schmitt sent home notes urging students considering holiday gifts for their teachers to instead give to Bangert, Johnson and their families.

"They said it would be a gift for them for the custodians to get gifts," Anand said.

Both custodians received $400 in gift certificates and Christmas cookies from appreciative parents and students, Anand said.

In addition to concern for the laid-off custodians, Assistant Superintendent Larry Hook expressed concern about the implications for the school district buildings. Another step calls for school officials to wait a day before calling in substitute custodians after an illness. The cuts leave the district with a total of 22 custodians.

"The buildings aren't going to be maintained like they were," Hook said. "It's sad. We shouldn't be in this position."

No decision has been made, but the board has talked of going to voters for a levy for new operating money in May. Otherwise, budget deficits will continue to develop, requiring more cuts, officials said.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Springboro High School.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.