The Princeton school board Thursday night discussed the district’s plan to cut its budget and authorized Superintendent Gary Pack to cut $1 million in administrative wages and benefits by reducing staff.

Board members did not settle on who or how many staff would be affected. A salary freeze on administrators went into effect earlier this month.

Some Custodians are paid 30% more,
Educational Assistants are paid 24% more,
Secretaries are paid 20% more, and
Bus Drivers are paid 17% more …

Source: Calculated from Sycamore Community School OAPSE listing February, 2010.

IH resident Fred Sanborn said a recent millage move by the IH school district is illegal. The move is not legally justified.
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Sanborn referred to a section of Ohio’s Revised Code which states, “no tax rate shall be levied above that necessary to produce the revenue needed by the taxing district or political subdivision for the ensuing fiscal year … unless such rate of taxation for the ensuing fiscal year is clearly required.”
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Sanborn said, “(There) is no way this district is running out of money,” citing the district’s reserve fund.
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The district is expected to have $24 million in the cash reserve fund by June of next year.
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“Why didn’t (the district) dig into the reserve instead of passing the inside millage,” said resident Jim Troppman.
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Board members gave these reasons: “the district has a proactive financial planning approach”; It has always been a prudent logical effort to have a reserve fund”; With our projections, we could burn through our reserve fund in a short period of time”; Board members also said these decisions are being made to try and avoid exhausting funds and putting an operating levy on the ballot.

GW answered – ” I want to know all the facts before I will vote for a bond issue. What are the specific spending proposals?
What alternatives were considered? Why don’t they use part of the $39 million cash reserve for this work? The state recommends holding 6-7 percent of revenue in reserve. Sycamore has 52 percent in reserve.
Why did the schools add 40 fulltime equivalent employees during the last couple years while enrollment was holding steady? Didn’t they know of the need for renovations back then?
I also want to know the breakdown on the $4.5 million budget increase implemented this year. Where is that taxpayer money going? At this point I would vote against it because I have too many unanswered questions and concerns.”

SYCAMORE SUPERINTENDENT annual salary is $153,500.