State Budget Won't Help Strongsville Schools, Superintendent Says

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Strongsville Superintendent Cameron Ryba said state funding isn't coming to save the Strongsville Schools. He's asking residents to again consider voting for a funding levy, not dissimilar to the one they rejected in November.

"The state is not going to help further support our school district, so it is up to our community and voters to decide the quality of school district they want for the children of Strongsville. As you talk to your friends and neighbors that are Strongsville residents and voters, please share this important fact," Ryba said.

Here's why Ryba thinks help isn't coming from state officials.

When Governor Mike DeWine unveiled his proposed state funding budget in mid-March, some school districts were hoping to see a change in how public schools are funded. The two-year operating budget included no such formula changes.

DeWine's budget does include earmarked funds to be used exclusively for the health and wellness of Ohio's students.

"For our district, that means we would see a $0 increase in our state funding, and would see $175,505 in FY 20 and $213,385 in FY 21 that could only be used for Student Wellness and Success," Ryba said in an email on Wednesday morning.

DeWine's proposed budget will go through a review and amendment process. There are groups lobbying for changes to how the state funds public education, but current proposals wouldn't have much impact on the Strongsville Schools, Ryba said.

"There is also another group out there that is made up of Representatives Cupp and Patterson, as well as Superintendents and Treasurers. A few weeks ago, they released a proposed school funding formula called the Ohio Fair School Funding Plan. Under this proposal, Strongsville City Schools would see a $0 increase in state funding," Ryba said.

In November, the Strongsville Schools asked voters to consider a 7.9 mill levy. Residents rejected the measure, with 62 percent of voters casting their ballot against the levy.

After the rejection in November, Ryba detailed a series of "deep cuts" his district would go through. The Strongsville Schools will cut $1.1 million from their budget, with further cuts planned.

According to district officials, Strongsville will:

• Cut three 8th grade sports teams
• Indefinitely delay of textbook adoption
• Have smaller budgets for school departments
• Reduce staff work days and eliminate some departments
• Have fewer Strongsville schools and parochial transportation routes
• Reduce funding for curricular and student resources, and educational support
• Shrink the certified and support staff at Strongsville Middle School and Strongsville High School

Critics of the district have said many of the proposed cuts seem "reasonable." Several Facebook users also complained that the district did not "catch" its former maintenance worker stealing items from schools sooner.