DAYTON -- Parents, students and staff of the Huber Heights School District packed Wayne High School on Thursday night to make their final pleas before a decision was made on $6 million in cuts.
The board voted 3-2 to table the issue until a later date, but when the decision is finally made what does that mean for students and staff who are the ones primarily affected.
The district is in a financial deficit because it hasn't passed a levy since 2005. The recent failing of the November 6 levy sparked the debate of cuts.
"At this point we are in deficit spending over 2 percent beginning next year and so we've been working together, listening to the community about possible solutions," said Susan Gunnell, Huber Heights Superintendent.
The cuts include 47 teachers, four bus drivers, some administrative staff, all field trips and extra curricular activities including art, ROTC, band and athletics.
Many parents at the meeting were upset at the recommendations.
"I'd be very disappointed if extra curricular cuts were made," said Ted Papalios, a parent of two in the district. "I think all extra curricular activities, not only sports but clubs and everything, are very important in the school system. I mean it helps with the overall education experience."
About 20 people, including parents, teachers and students, voiced their concerns about the proposed cuts.
"The love of Huber Heights schools is going away," said one parent. "This is doing it, we've cut and cut and cut, we've affected kids. What I want to know is when are these cuts going to stop."
"There are kids with learning disorders that need help desperately. It's just not my child, so think about those children, too, when you cut," one parent explained.
When it came time to vote, even the board members were torn. They voted to table the issue. Some board members say this will just draw out the problem instead of handling it face on. Others said it will encourage the state to take another look at possible funding, if any.
The next step is for the superintendent to submit a written proposal to the state that would indicate a solution to get them out of deficit spending.
The state set a deadline of December 31 for that proposal.
The board voted 3-2 to table the issue until a later date, but when the decision is finally made what does that mean for students and staff who are the ones primarily affected.
The district is in a financial deficit because it hasn't passed a levy since 2005. The recent failing of the November 6 levy sparked the debate of cuts.
"At this point we are in deficit spending over 2 percent beginning next year and so we've been working together, listening to the community about possible solutions," said Susan Gunnell, Huber Heights Superintendent.
The cuts include 47 teachers, four bus drivers, some administrative staff, all field trips and extra curricular activities including art, ROTC, band and athletics.
Many parents at the meeting were upset at the recommendations.
"I'd be very disappointed if extra curricular cuts were made," said Ted Papalios, a parent of two in the district. "I think all extra curricular activities, not only sports but clubs and everything, are very important in the school system. I mean it helps with the overall education experience."
About 20 people, including parents, teachers and students, voiced their concerns about the proposed cuts.
"The love of Huber Heights schools is going away," said one parent. "This is doing it, we've cut and cut and cut, we've affected kids. What I want to know is when are these cuts going to stop."
"There are kids with learning disorders that need help desperately. It's just not my child, so think about those children, too, when you cut," one parent explained.
When it came time to vote, even the board members were torn. They voted to table the issue. Some board members say this will just draw out the problem instead of handling it face on. Others said it will encourage the state to take another look at possible funding, if any.
The next step is for the superintendent to submit a written proposal to the state that would indicate a solution to get them out of deficit spending.
The state set a deadline of December 31 for that proposal.