Youngstown schools to cut 20 administrative/support positions, review vendor contracts
The Youngstown City School District responded to a January state audit with a projected debt of $4 million in 2027 and $18 million in 2028, with a review of vendor contracts and proposed staff cuts.
The school district released a statement after its Tuesday school board meeting that it is placing all vendor contracts under review.
“Some contracts have already expired and will not be renewed or terminated,” Youngstown School District Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor and Board of Education President Juanita Walker said in an email statement.
The school officials added in the statement that the school district will also reduce the number of administrative or support positions.
“Over the course of the remainder of this year, the district will notify certain individuals in either administrative or support positions whose contracts are expiring, and will not be renewed,” the email explained. “It’s important to note that this decision has been made with utmost fairness and consideration for all parties involved. Others in similar roles, whose contracts are not expiring, will have contracts suspended.”
School spokesperson Stacy Quinones broke down the planned cuts as follows:
- Non-renewal of non-teaching personnel due to contract expiration (effective last day of approved work calendar based on contractual days), 20
- Non-renewal of substitute personnel at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year (May 23, 2024) 12
- Suspension of administrative/exempt contracts, 5
The district said the moves are projected to reduce the district’s budget expenditures by $3.5-$4 million in the first year alone.
Board approves labor contract with teachers
Quinones said the school board approved a proposed two-year contract with Youngstown Education Association on Tuesday.
Batchelor and Walker said in a statement issued Monday that the deal calls for:
- A 2.5% raise for all teachers in each year of the agreement. It also calls for an incremental increase in the percentage of the premium for health insurance that employees contribute by 0.5% each year
- Cleans up some language to bring the district in line with certain updated legal aspects relative to human resources procedures
- Establishes a collaborative working committee that will review the evaluation procedures in alignment with Ohio law and best practices to ensure that a growth model is completed with fidelity and fairness.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2024 at 7:03 PM.