Old Fort school district backs layoffs, other cuts

3/24/2004

OLD FORT, Ohio - The Old Fort school district plans to lay off eight employees, including six teachers, to help eliminate a projected $458,000 deficit for the next school year.

The school board approved the job reductions and other budget cuts at a meeting Monday night. The faculty positions to be cut include three elementary/junior high teachers, a high school librarian, a computer technology instructor, and a music instructor. The other employee cuts were a custodian and a secretary.

The board also eliminated funding for three teachers who instruct gifted and talented students through the North Central Educational Services Center.

Other reductions include the end of field trips and extended-time contracts, a cut of 25 percent in school building budgets, and reduced hours for the elementary and high school principals. The school board also voted to begin a pay-to-play system for sports and other extracurricular activities but did not set the fees.