The Columbus Dispatch reported in yesterday’s edition, the Columbus School Board approved additional budgets cuts for upcoming year.
The board approved by a 5-2 vote $15.3 million in potential cuts for next school year. But officials continue to hold out hope that increased state aid would negate some or all of the reductions.
OhioMBE is hopeful that the Board will retain the services of Terri Wise, the district’s outreach coordinator. Ms. Wise has done an exceptional job in connecting minority and disadvantage businesses with district procurement opportunities. It is vital that there is a responsive dedicated link between the minority business community and Columbus City Schools. The district has an impressive contracting goal of 20 percent with certified disadvantaged businesses.
Superintendent Harris said the district won’t know until June, when the legislature completes the state budget, whether any of the cuts approved by the board will be needed. According to The Dispatch, Instructional assistants, secretaries, mechanics, skilled-trades workers, coordinators of gifted-and-talented programs, and administrators are among the positions that could go if state aid comes in less than projected.
Voting against the package of cuts were board members Mike Wiles and Hanifah Kambon.