Schools regroup

By Pamela Glason Thornton
City Editor
Union County Post

The Marysville School District is being tested once again. Saving money and meeting state requirements are top priorities for the schools' administrative staff. To meet state budgetary requirements, nearly every bus route in the 148-square mile district is being impacted by the school district's move to a two-mile non-transportation area, the latest in a series of reductions and changes enacted to meet school district financial benchmarks as mandated by the State of Ohio. The new plan takes effect Monday, February 11. Maps detailing the two-mile radius from each school can be found on the district website at www.marysville.k12.oh.us.
A plan to move from a one-mile driving radius around each building to the state minimum two-mile radius was approved by officials. The change is one of many steps that have been taken to save the district an estimated $3 million to help balance its budget.
The change will create a reduction of five bus routes with an annualized cost savings of nearly $225,000. The move will also further reduce the need for future bus purchases, which creates a budget savings in the state-mandated five-year forecast.
“ We clearly understand that our district has provided a valuable service in transporting students that the state has not required us to,” commented Steve Ader, operations director for the school district. “What the state does require is that all districts
operate within a balanced budget. So, with limited resources available to us, we have no choice but to look into areas like transportation to gain efficiencies.”
The busing changes allowed for the elimination of scheduled bus purchases.
“ We hear comments from members of the community who believe the steps we are taking are a form of retaliation,” stated Jeff Mabee, school board vice president. “Nothing could be further from the truth. Rather, they're the steps we must take to balance the budget both today and for the future.”
The re-routing process is a large undertaking, much like the assignment of buses during the beginning of school. “We identify our eligible riders and then assign buses and drivers to routes,” said Jodie Clark, Marysville Schools' transportation director.
Marysville School District Superintendent Larry Zimmerman regularly reviews the past and is planning for the future. Zimmerman commented that many reductions were made over the past couple of years as growth continued to occur and fewer state dollars were received to offset enrollment growth within the district.
“ Our leaders and board members have a clear understanding of this process so we started taking proactive steps we knew would be mandated by the state,” Zimmerman said. “It is our hope that in doing so, we'll be able to avoid drastic reductions to our core academic programs for next school year and beyond.”
Representatives of the school board admitted that they understand the affect this busing change will have on families that depend upon this service. “It was very troubling to have to make the change. Unfortunately, in the end, the hard decision had to be made in order to continue to move the district forward,” said Mabee.
To inform the families of students, the school transportation department sent letters to the homes of those affected as a result of the district rerouting and implementation of the two-mile radius. Most families are slated to receive letters because bus numbers, pick up and drop off times and group stop locations are subject to change. A final group of letters will go to all those residing outside the two-mile limit who are therefore eligible for transportation. Again, the letter will detail the bus number, pick-up and drop-off times and bus stop location. As a result of the complete rerouting, these details will have changed slightly for many families.
Requests to accommodate special circumstances such as transportation to and from day care providers will be considered on a case-by-case basis as they are each summer.
The change was originally scheduled for February 4 and was delayed a week to allow families who have to make adjustments to their routines or find alternative means of transportation more time to adjust.
Questions may be directed to the transportation department at 937-644-1766.
Ohio State law mandates that school districts cannot operate with a deficit budget. The district is required to make adjustments while it adheres to state mandates and strives to meet state minimum standards.
Additional areas of school operations were examined to address the shortfall. In addition to changes in busing routes, the district has enacted other reductions and program changes to save dollars and satisfy the state balanced budget requirements. Savings have come through increased employee deductibles and insurance co-pays. Other internal changes include:
• Staff positions have been eliminated or consolidated and hiring to fill positions has been postponed.
• There has been an increase in Pay-to-Participate and travel fees
• Restrictions have been placed on field trips
• School lunch costs have increased to cover increases in food costs.
• Building improvement and repair projects have been postponed.
• Computer and technology purchases have been eliminated.
• Reductions in paper and copier use
• Modification of building temperatures
• Increase in district facility usage charges

With the implementation of route changes, the district will continue to evaluate other areas within the non-transportation zone that may be suited to a modified plan. This process will take into account safety concerns and transportation capacities.
“ The district would much prefer to provide service that exceeds standards, but can no longer afford to do so and also meet the demands of a shrinking budget,” said Mabee.