On Monday, January 13, the school board voted to move forward with budget cuts and to put a one-percent earned income tax levy on the ballot in May.

Because the levy failed in November, the district needs to cut $6,090,000 in order to continue operating. In order to keep from having to make more cuts in the coming years, a one-percent earned income tax levy will be on the ballot on May 6, 2025.

By cutting more than 43 teachers, the district is set to save over 3.5 million dollars, more than half of the total amount the district needs to continue current operations. The board expressed that the hope would be that the majority of these positions would be removed via attrition. Teachers will likely also be cut by the removal of programs, which in the event of budgeting are often electives. The removal of classes would have a trickle effect as teachers with higher seniority are moved and those who have been at the school for less time will move on.

Another item on the slide presented at the board meeting was a pay-to-participate policy for extracurriculars. This would mean that all outside of school activities from football to clubs would require a fee to take part in. Though money is generated by sports, they are still costly. Extracurricular activities boost student engagement and help to create a sense of community along with helping students find friends. This policy may prohibit lower income students from engaging in these activities, as previously sports were free or had a small fee for things like uniforms.

Social media is the source of a lot of misinformation. The truth about the funding of our district, as with many other things, has been clouded by misleading posts on platforms like Facebook. Despite what some people may be posting, the Findlay City Schools district is one of the lowest funded schools per pupil and spends more of their budget than most other schools on instruction.

Most of these cuts affect the most vulnerable students, those without opportunities or transportation that others have, and now they will be left with less than before. By making getting to school more difficult and participating in sports paywalled, there is likely going to be less engagement in school activities. To prevent further opportunities from being taken away from our students, the levy in May will need to be passed.