Cleveland Metropolitan School District approves $13.3 million in budget cuts

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Metropolitan School District board voted Tuesday evening on a proposal that could mean major cuts across the district.

The meeting was at Lincoln West High School at 6:30 p.m., and parents and staff are expected to fill the room. CMSD CEO Eric Gordon proposed more than $13.3 million in cuts to balance the district’s deficit. The measure passed by a vote of 7 to 1.

The district is facing tight financial restrains with the existing $13.2 million deficit, the recent recall of more than 400 teachers and state funding cuts totaling $14.5 million.

According to the resolution, the CMSD board of education must pass a five-year- financial plan by the end of the month. The CEO’s plan involves immediate changes like reducing the textbook budget by nearly $2.5 million, cutting central office staff by more than $1.5 million and nixing a half a million dollars from the non-emergency repairs budget.

The resolution sets up a timeline of other budget reductions over the next few months.

Budget reduction to be implemented immediately:
-Textbook budget reduced by $2,450,937
-Central office staff reductions $1,691,383
-Reduce school and department operating budgets $675,000

Budget reductions to be implemented Nov. 1, 2011
-Reduce student meal choices $262,000
-Eliminate payments for school extra-curricular advisors $418,768

Budget reductions to be implemented Dec. 1, 2011
-Reduce cleaners and clean classrooms every other day $313,439
-Reduce school-based safety and security personnel

Budget reductions to be implemented Jan. 20, 2012
-Reduce principals and assistant principals $727,000
-Eliminate high school transportation/RTA transportation $1,550,013
-Eliminate spring sports program (except privately funded baseball and softball) $568,260
-Eliminate regular education preschool program $741,000
-Eliminate summer school programs $2,447,000