Huber schools look to cut 46 positions

HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WDTN) - Deep cuts in the Huber Heights school district will leave more than 40 people without jobs, and according to Superintendent Bill Kirby, if more revenue doesn't come in, there will be no stopping the state from taking over in the coming years.

"If we don't find some new revenue, I see in the foreseeable future, say 2014, we will be a state controlled district," Kirby said.

Kirby presented his list of cuts to the school board January 12, 2012. It would eliminate 46 staff members, and would slash another $2 million dollars from the general fund budget. This is the third round of cuts for the district, which with the addition of this proposal, would mean an 11 percent reduction in the general fund budget.

"Gonna have to go around and visit people and tell them that due to budget constraints, they will not have a job," said Kirby.

Letters will be sent to staff members who will be left without a job in the coming school year by the end of February, Kirby said, and no department is safe. This round will eliminate all elementary school art classes, will leave only one junior high team per sport, and will slash jobs in maintenance, counseling, and teaching at all levels. Kirby admits it means larger class sizes, and the elimination of programs like Landlab.

"It means less hands helping teachers out, it means less opportunities," Kirby said.

The reason, Kirby said, is diminishing revenues. State and federal funding has decreased, and so have property tax collections because of foreclosures.

While the general fund's balance dwindles, the district is building, causing many residents to wonder why the district is asking for more money. Huber Heights City Schools has opened five new elementary schools in the past year, and plans to open a new junior high and high school next school year.

Kirby said more than half of those costs were paid for by the government, as a part of a program that was offered to the district for a limited time. The voters passed a bond issue in 2008 to pay for the rest. The district is $6 million below budget on the projects, but Kirby said that money cannot legally be used for general fund expenditures.

The school board is expected to vote on the proposed cuts at its February 9 meeting. Board members are also expected to decide if and when another levy will be presented to the voters at a work session scheduled for February 4.