Mayfield Schools Awaiting Word on State Cuts

Mayfield City School District officials expect a cut in state funding, but are uncertain about how much that might be or when they'll find out.

"We knew that over the two-year budget that primary and secondary education would be cut by $3.5 billion," Treasurer Scott Snyder said. He added that emphasis has been placed on helping low-wealth and the neediest districts.

The budget presented by Gov. John Kasich includes slight increases in what is known as foundation formula or evidence-based funding – 1.4 percent in 2012 and 1.3 percent in 2013.

But total school funding is cut by 11.5 percent in the first year and 4.9 percent in the second. That includes other funding sources such as payments made to offset the loss of tangible property taxes, which were eliminated in 2005.

"We have approximately $3 million in state aid and another $6 million in tangible property reimbursement," he said. "That's $9 million out of a $60 million operating budget."

It would take a 6.9-mill levy to make up the loss if all $9 million was taken away, Snyder said.

"I don't want to be an alarmist. But if we lose it all, that's 15 percent of our budget," he said.

School officials are also concerned about the potential cuts because there will be a short window of time in which to react. District budget planning for the 2011-2012 school year started in October 2010.

The district's fiscal year starts on July 1 – the same schedule the state follows – and little word is coming out of Columbus.

Snyder said district contacts have been unable to provide any insights into what might happen.

"He's not following the traditional process," Snyder said of Kasich. "They're being very guarded, war-gaming it, so to speak."