Just like at home, maintaining a balanced budget  for the school district is often a tough job. There are currently several pieces of legislation being debated at the state level that, if passed, would have a significant impact on funding of Fairless Local Schools. Examples of this legislation include:

HB 96 as proposed - The Biennial Budget - flatlines the state funds received by Fairless Local Schools, but also includes a mechanism that would reduce local funding. 

SB 2- Will reduce the tax rate on utilities, like electric infrastructure and natural gas pipelines resulting in a loss of revenue for schools.

There are also around 30 bills being considered (including HB335) that are designed to provide property tax relief. The recent spike in property values has resulted in the taxpayers seeing unprecedented increases in their bills. This is an extraordinarily complex issue in Ohio, but ultimately all the currently proposed legislation will result in less revenue for Fairless Local Schools. 

Will Fairless Local Schools receive more revenue as a result of increased property values? Yes. But it is important to note that the district’s state share of revenue has been frozen for almost a decade. The only way the district maintains a balanced budget is through increases in local revenue. 

What is the district doing to prepare in uncertain times? At its March Regular Meeting, the Board of Education approved a plan to reduce expenditures which will cumulatively save $3 million dollars over next 5 years. While every effort has been made to keep cuts from impacting students, every person employed in our district impacts students in one way or another. Reductions to date include:

1. 4 teaching positions (Grade 1, HS English Language Arts, Spanish, Grade 7) . Losing these positions will result in increased class sizes and the loss of Spanish as an elective at Fairless Middle School
2. 9 paraprofessional aide/tutorial positions - these positions reflect reductions in classroom support districtwide and the tutorial program from Fairless High School
3. Reduced Educational Service Center Support - these part time positions provided math coaching for staff, curriculum support, and technology support
4. Summer programming - the district will no longer provide summer programming or summer credit recovery
5. Curriculum Supplementals - these reductions include the ACT test for sophomores, core curriculum supplementals, and programming like the Guys with Ties and Girls with Pearls program
6. Shared Administrative Services - the district is actively studying the possibility of shared food service administration with Canton Local Schools and will pursue other opportunities as they arise

Will the district pursue renewing the substitute emergency levy? Yes. This levy, first passed in 1996, represents over 10% of the district’s annual budget. This levy is necessary to provide our students a high quality education while maintaining a balanced budget. 

How is the district planning for the future? Just like you would have a savings account for unexpected things at your home, the district maintains a cash balance. This cash balance is how we plan for maintenance, improvements, and unexpected repairs. Currently, the district has cash set aside to prepare for the following:

1. Roof replacements at Fairless Elementary School, Fairless Middle School, and bus maintenance facility. 
2. Bus replacements - Fairless maintains a fleet of 17 buses and it is our goal to not have buses over 10 years old on the road for daily routes.
3. Asphalt maintenance, repair, and replacement. 
4. Athletic Facilities - the district is saving for field turf replacement, visitors grandstand replacement, and maintenance of existing facilities. 

In addition, the district also is working to save dollars for the maintenance, repair, or replacement of things like boilers, HVAC, windows, etc.