We received information from the State Office of
Budget and Management (OBM) over the course of the last week that will have a
significant impact on the finances of our District. The Rocky River City School
District (RRCSD) is projected to have a $6,089,686 loss in funding from the
state over the next four years.
- Based on
OBM projected amounts, the RRCSD is anticipated to lose 76.1 % of State
Foundation Funding. The district had anticipated and budgeted for an
annual 15% ($190,616) reduction. The new figures represent a
loss in State Foundation Funding to our District of $2,623,779 over four years
while some districts received increases in funding.
- The
Governor’s budget proposal calls for the Tangible Personal Property Tax
reimbursement to be phased out on a much shorter timeline than what current
Ohio law requires. This is a loss of $2,698,888 to our District over
four year versus our current projections.
- The
Governor’s budget proposal also calls for SB3/Electric Deregulation/KwH
reimbursements to be phased out immediately for the RRCSD. This is a
loss of $767,020 to our District over four years.
The
bottom line for the RRCSD is a loss of $6,089,686 over the next four years.
What can we do?
- The
District continues to review and implement budget reductions.
- District
administrators advocate for the RRCSD in meetings with our state legislators
and the newly appointed Director of the Office of 21st Century Education,
Robert Sommers.
- The Rocky
River Board of Education and Dr. Shoaf held a meeting for parents, staff
and community members on April 19 to share information about the proposed budget cuts. Senator Patton and Representative Baker attended the meeting and promised to work to reduce the severe cuts.
Parent and
community members are urged to contact their state legislators immediately to
voice their concerns about these cuts and the impact they will have on our
District.
With the House slated to vote on the budget bill in May, it is vital that you contact the below legislators NOW!
Ohio State
Representative Nan Baker, District 16
Ohio State
Senator Tom Patton, District 24
Senate Building
1 Capitol Square, 1st Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone:
(614) 466-8056; Email: SD24@senate.state.oh.us
Speaker of the House William Batchelder, District 69
77 S. High St., 14th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-8140
Complete online email here
Ohio State Representative Ron Amstutz, District 3
Chair, Finance & Appropriations Committee
77 S. High St, 13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Phone: (614) 466-1474
Complete online email here
Ohio State Representative John Carey, District 87
Vice Chair, Finance & Appropriations Committee
Chair, Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee
77 S. High St
, 13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Phone: (614) 466-1366
Complete online email here
Please address the following issues with our state legislators:
- Request a
more balanced approach to state funding for our schools.
- Ask to slow
down the accelerated loss of the Tangible Personal Property Tax and the SB3/Electric
Deregulation/KwH reimbursements.
- Cap cuts to district at no more than 20% of the current State Foundation Funding.