Strongsville Schools Will Lose $1.6 Million In State Funding

STRONGSVILLE, OH — The Strongsville Schools will lose $1.6 million as a result of state budget cuts, the district announced Monday. Gov. Mike DeWine announced sweeping budget cuts last week, indicating they were the direct result of the new coronavirus crisis.

The Strongsville Schools said they currently receive $9.1 million in state funding. That number will be reduced by 17 percent before the end of this fiscal year for schools, which concludes June 30.

It's unclear what the state's budget for 2021 and beyond will look like, but many districts are planning for additional cuts. George Anagnostou, treasurer for Strongsville Schools, will present the district's five-year forecast on May 21. The forecast will include multiple scenarios due the threat of further state funding reductions and other economic factors.

“We have been anticipating reductions from the state for several weeks and expect that future reductions are likely to occur. Our district continues to proactively manage and look for efficiencies in our budget. The recent reductions announced by the governor will have an impact on our current budget, as well as forecasts for the next few years,” said Anagnostou in a statement.

Last week, DeWine announced nearly $1 billion in budget cuts for Ohio. Many of the cuts targeted Medicaid and public education spending. Here's what the governor said needed to be cut in the next two months:

• K12 Foundation Payment Reduction: $300 million
• Other Education Budget Line Items: $55 million
• Medicaid: $210 million
• Higher Education: $110 million
• All Other Agencies: $100 million

DeWine said he did not want to delay making budget cuts and potentially make future cuts more painful. He also declined to dip into the state's $2.7 billion rainy day fund, saying the state may need those funds in coming years.