Bellbrook schools eye more cuts, possible levy

Bellbrook-Sugarcreek school board members will be asked Thursday to approve the district’s updated financial forecast, including more budget cuts, and will consider options for a possible new levy proposal to be brought before voters.

The second round of budget reductions, amounting to $1 million, and extending the current teachers’ contract are also listed on the agenda for Thursday night’s school board meeting at Bellbrook Middle School, 3600 Feedwire Road.

RELATED: Bellbrook schools stick with budget cuts for now, won’t try levy in fall

Records detailing the district’s updated five-year financial forecast and the plan to implement further cuts were not released when requested by this news organization on Wednesday.

Superintendent Doug Cozad said in an email “this information will be shared at the meeting … I don’t want to get ahead of the board and their decisions.”

“We will be releasing information as soon as we can after the meeting detailing the decisions made by them,” Cozad said.

Cozad discussed with board members in September implementing budget cuts for next year amounting to $700,000 to $900,000.

Last month, Treasurer Kevin Liming discussed with school board members a draft of the district’s five-year financial forecast and the expected second round of budget cuts.

The district’s previous financial forecast indicated expenses would outpace revenue during the 2020-21 school year.

After voters overwhelmingly rejected a new tax proposal in May, district officials implemented the first phase of budget cuts in June.

Those cuts amounted to about $813,000 through layoffs and cut-backs in busing service, not filling teaching positions and reducing aid and custodial staffing.

The board elected not to return to the ballot this year after the May levy proposal failed to pass. A community survey conducted in July indicated district residents feel their taxes are too high and they would not be in favor of another levy without further budget cuts.

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