Posted by Kate Oatis - email
TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - Toledo Public Schools held a meeting Tuesday evening to share plans on what cuts will be made to get the budget in balance.
Superintendent John Foley gave the board two lists of possible cuts. The first list includes $17.6 million in cuts that could be made even if the May 4 income tax levy passes: Libbey High would close, freshman sports would be eliminated, athletic transportation and school crossing guards would be reduced.
The second list includes $12.5 million in cuts that would be made in addition to the cuts mandated by the first list. If the levy fails, the Toledo Early College High School and the Toledo Technology Academy would close. The Lincoln School for Boys and Stewart School for Girls would merge and class size would increase, leading to teacher layoffs. A two mile walking zone would be implemented. High school sports with limited participation would go, and crossing guards and school resource officers would be eliminated.
The president of the Toledo Federation of Teachers sharply criticized the proposed closing of the Early College and Technology Academy.
"If the board proceeds to do that, it will mean the dumbing down of the Toledo Public Schools," Francine Lawrence said.
The board decided to vote at an April 1 special meeting.
Early voting for the levy starts on April 5, just four days after the board's special meeting.
