AKRON, Ohio — The plan to address a five-year projected budget deficit for Akron Public Schools does not include a tax levy for voters on the March 2024 ballot, but a levy is not off the table.
“We definitely need to be considering a levy so that we can continue to maintain the great things that we're doing here in Akron Public Schools,” says Superintendent C. Michael Robinson, Ed.D.
Robinson says the district is considering a possible levy next November to help address budget challenges.
“We do have $15 million in cuts and to be very honest with you, it could be a little bit more.” Robinson tells 3News.
The district’s five-year financial forecast shows a budget deficit of more than $16 million starting in 2025. The deficit grows to almost $38 million in 2028. At least $15 million in cuts will need to be made to the budget, which is over $350 million, this academic year.
“Honestly, sitting here today, I really couldn’t tell you where those cuts are going to come from, but I know that it’s going to have to happen,” the new superintendent points out.
Robinson says 80% of the budget is staffing and some of the cuts will be fulfilled through retirements, resignations, and right sizing.
“Right now, we have a lot of positions in schools, in central office, and people are doing the work, but we can’t afford to maintain all of that,” he adds.
Robinson, who took over as the district’s leader this past August, says the deficit is due to multiple factors including declining enrollment and APS not having a levy on the ballot since 2012. However, he says the district is not alone when it comes to budget woes.
“Private and parochial schools, charter schools; they're suffering just like we are in the public sector,” Robinson explains. “I don't want people to shy away from that because everywhere in America, people are asking for levies.”
Before Robinson took the job as superintendent, the school board approved a plan to build two new elementary schools in the Kenmore neighborhood. According to Robinson, the new schools are not part of the financial problem.
“Those schools honestly would not be putting us in a deficit area or causing us to go off a financial cliff,” he says. “Those are things that need to be done.”
Robinson also wants to see a new North High School built, but for that to happen the district would need to pass a levy.
In terms of budget cuts, Robinson says there will be meetings with the community and APS employees to get their input.
He promises the decisions on cuts will be right for the district, will not put APS in financial distress, and will maintain the integrity of programs within Akron Public Schools.
“I didn’t come here to just chop up the system and tear it up, I came to enhance it,” Robinson says. “I came here for the long haul and together as a community and a body, we can do so many great things.”
The decision on cuts will be made by February according to Robinson’s projected timeline.