Loveland School Board will meet Thursday to begin process to implement necessary cuts
NEWS RELEASE: Susanne Quigley, Chief Information Officer
LOVELAND, OH (April 29, 2020) – Early election results from the absentee voting count for the March 17 Ohio Primary Election indicate that the Loveland City School District’s operating levy is not expected to pass.
Dr. Amy Crouse, Superintendent, LCSD (Provided)
The levy would have provided funds for the day-to-day operations of the school district to maintain the programs currently offered in the district, and avoided additional budget cuts for the 2020-2021 school year.
“We accept the outcome and respect the decision voters made, but this is a devastating loss for our schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse. “At this time of national and global uncertainty, we will also prepare to start the new school year in August with a significantly reduced budget, which will directly impact programs, class size, and services to our students. In addition, we will have to start preparing to go back on the ballot. This is unfortunately how school funding works in Ohio.”
Dr. Kathryn Lorenz is President of the Loveland City School District Board of Education (Provided)
In addition to the $2.7 million in expense reductions already made in 2019, significant cuts will be made to the operating budget in the coming months. These reductions include, among others, the elimination of at least 25 administrative, teaching and non-teaching staff positions, and the elimination of high school busing.
“The Board of Education is scheduled to meet virtually on Thursday of this week and will begin preparations to implement the necessary cuts,” said Board President Dr. Kathryn Lorenz. “It is important that we give affected staff members as much notice as possible, especially during this time of crisis in our community and economy.”
Loveland Primary School (File Photo)
Dr. Crouse underscored her gratitude toward the steadfast supporters of the schools.
“No words can quite express my appreciation for all those who have supported the schools and who continue to be proponents of our mission,” she said. “An amazing group of volunteers has spent countless hours over several months advocating for the protection of our schools, the programs and services we have in place for students, and the progress this district has made. They are true champions of the Loveland Schools – our schools – and I can’t thank them enough for their support throughout this effort.”
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