Additional public hearings set about TPS budget hole

3/12/2010
BY CHRISTOPHER D. KIRKPATRICK
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Toledo Board of Education member Larry Sykes has scheduled two additional public hearings so more residents can offer comments about a school-system budget crisis that threatens more than 300 teacher positions and school sports teams.

The number of scheduled hearings now stands at four, with one per evening from Monday through Thursday next week.

Each public hearing location was chosen to pull in residents from across the school district, Mr. Sykes said.

Board members must come up with two lists of proposed budget cuts - one to close a $30 million hole projected for next fiscal year, and another to cover $17.5 million.

The second plan would go into effect if voters approve a 0.75 percent levy on earned income on May 4 that would raise about $18 million annually. Voters will likely be able to study the two plans to help make their decision about the proposed levy.

The five-member board initially scheduled just one hearing for Wednesday at Start High School. The board plans to vote on a budget plan to close a projected $30 million budget hole on March 23.

The four hearings, all to be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m., will be at:

Monday, Waite High School cafeteria, 301 Morrison Drive.

Tuesday, Robinson Middle School cafeteria, 1075 Horace St.

Wednesday, Start High School auditorium, 2010 Tremainesville Rd.

Thursday, Rogers High School auditorium, 222 McTigue Drive.