3/16/2011 6:30:00 PMState Budget includes anticipated cuts in funding to CMSD

Cleveland, Ohio—Gov. John Kasich’s announcement today of $1.3 billion in cuts to local governments and school districts will impact operations in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, but just how much is yet to be absorbed by district officials.

“We are still sorting through the 774-page document to understand what it means and how it applies to us,” said Interim CEO Peter Raskind.  “Our initial reaction is that the news is not good, but it is also not unexpected.”

Raskind said the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, like school districts throughout Ohio, had braced for cuts in education funding at both the state and federal level this year, and CMSD officials had built the anticipated losses into their financial projections.

“As we face the difficult reality of annual deficits, we have actively engaged the community in a critical dialogue to determine how we can operate more efficiently and more effectively while delivering a strong academic program,” said Raskind.

“What we face is a sizable deficit, with or without the additional cuts to education announced today.  We therefore have no choice but to explore a full range of options available to close the deficit, which by law, we are required to do by June 30.”

Raskind said he expects the options to include staff reductions, salary and benefit cuts, school closures and curtailment of district spending.

CMSD officials will present these and other options for consideration by the Cleveland Board of Education at its regular meeting on March 22, with a goal, Raskind said, of moving beyond a temporary budget fix and toward a plan for fiscal sustainability.

“CMSD is not alone in the problems we face with a loss of stimulus funds and in other losses in revenue,” said Raskind.  “It is increasingly evident that solutions to the continued budget crises in Cleveland and in other Ohio school districts will have to be generated within our local school communities.” 
     
 Follow CMSD on Facebook!

For More Information, please contact:
Angela Buford: 216-858-6994
Charisse Ausbrook: 216-574-8143