Wadsworth superintendent weighs cuts after voters reject school levy again

Wadsworth City Schools Superintendent Andy Hill said the district faces a tough road ahead after voters rejected its levy.

Theres a lot to discuss; a lot of strategy the board is going to have to work through with how they decide to proceed, said Hill.

For the second time, Hill said the district fell short of the votes needed to secure extra funding after a similar levy effort failed during the spring election.

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Were not in a situation at the moment where the board is going to do drastic mid-year reductions; at leas,t theres been no conversation of that, said Hill.

Still, Hill said the district cant cut its way out of the situation its in, so he said leaders are considering cuts to transportation, reducing full-day kindergarten classes to only half a day and potentially closing an elementary school.

This isnt about wanting to threaten or take away or do anything else. Its painful to have to dismantle what has been put in place, said Hill.

While Hill said hes disappointed, he understands rising costs and the choice between an income tax and a traditional tax may have influenced peoples decisions to not support the districts school levy tax initiative.

Its a different approach, and it takes a lot of education to kind of wrap around what does that look like, how is it different than a municipal income tax that people are used to, said Hill.

As the district figures out its next steps, parent Christi Urbanek said shes disappointed by the election results and concerned about what this means for the future.

We choose Wadsworth. Ive been here 11 years, but we moved here because of the great school district; so, I fear if some of those music programs could get cut or sports or compact programs, said Urbanek.

At the same time, she said she remains hopeful.

Im hopeful that itll get on the ballot again, and maybe a third time itll pass, said Urbanek.

Meanwhile, Hill said the board could consider asking voters for more money in May or November next year.

While I cant fully speak for them, I would tell you Id be surprised if the end solution of what they attempt to do isnt some kind of an additional ask coupled with further reductions, said Hill.