Winton Woods levy fails, triggering immediate spending cuts

The Winton Woods City School District is cutting spending across the board after voters rejected a 6.95-mill operating levy on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Final unofficial results from the Hamilton County Board of Elections, with all 563 of 563 precincts reporting as of 11:27 p.m. Nov. 3, show the levy fell short:

Results are unofficial. The Hamilton County Board of Elections is expected to certify them Nov. 24.

The district has not received an increase in voter-approved local operating funding since 2009, according to the district's levy information page.

The district is now implementing a contingency plan the Board of Education approved at a September meeting and shared with families in October, according to a district press release published Nov. 4. The reductions come in waves.

Three cuts took effect immediately. The district began a hiring freeze, limited overtime to calamity days and emergency situations with superintendent approval, and suspended its Transportation Call Center.

Starting Dec. 1, the district will restrict student clubs, organizations and activities at all grade levels. It will also reduce summer school offerings and limit field trips and transportation unless grants or other non-general fund sources cover the cost.

Starting Jan. 1, the district will suspend before- and after-school tutoring and enrichment programs.

Additional changes affect day-to-day operations. Families will receive letters, progress reports, report cards and student handbooks online only. The district will also delay or suspend capital improvement projects such as paving, roofing and HVAC maintenance.

It plans to reduce professional development for teachers and staff, limit travel to a 100-mile drive radius, use fewer substitute teachers where possible, and delay adopting new instructional materials.

Superintendent Steve Denny said in the district statement that the plan was shared in October so families would not be caught off guard. He said the district is following through on it and acknowledged the changes will be felt by students, families and staff.

Board President Angela Knighten said the board will continue reviewing the district's finances in public, beginning at a work session on Nov. 9. She said residents are welcome to attend and share their thoughts.

Treasurer Randy Seymour said his office will update the district's five-year financial forecast in the coming weeks and present it to the board. He said any further budget decisions, including whether to place a levy on a future ballot, will be made in public session.

The board's Nov. 9 work session is the next scheduled opportunity for residents to hear directly from district leaders about what comes next.