$900K more in cuts discussed to avoid deficit in Bellbrook-Sugarcreek schools

Bellbrook-Sugarcreek school leaders are looking to implement a second round of budget cuts with a deficit looming in the forecast.

Superintendent Doug Cozad discussed “Phase II Reductions” in district finances at Thursday night’s school board meeting.

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Cozad gave board members a targeted range of at least $700,000 to $900,000 in reducing the budget further for next school year.

Details of how those cuts would be made were not released.

In an email message Friday, Cozad told this news organization “more details to come in the next few months on those specifics.”

District officials implemented the first phase of the plan to start trimming the budget in June, a month after voters rejected an operating levy.

Budget reductions of an estimated $813,000 were achieved through layoffs and cuts in busing service, attrition in teaching positions and reductions to aid and custodial staffing.

School leaders chose not to return to the ballot this year. A community survey in July indicated residents feel their taxes are too high and would not be in favor of another levy without budget cuts.

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The district’s 5-year budget forecast earlier this year indicated revenue would fall short of covering projected expenses for the 2020-21 school year.

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