The 'Burg: A Week in Review

Latest School Cuts and More: Week in Review

Don't miss the hottest headlines of the week

It was another busy week that has come and gone with some major new developments in the news world of Twinsburg. Twinsburg Patch brings you the news recap for this week: That's just a quick recap of the big stories. Don't forget about our Announcements page, Events calendar, Local Voices blogs, and our newly revamped "Places" business directory listing for more Twinsburg news and information.

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School Board Approves $2.5 Million in Employee Cuts

The Twinsburg Board of Education approved the final stages of $3.3 million in cuts and revenue

Nearly a year-and-a-half ago, the Twinsburg City School District began the process of changing it's financial future. On Wednesday night, it finally came to a close. The board of education  approved $2.5 million in staff cuts, starting next school year, by a 4-1 vote. It was the final step in the process of making cuts and adding new revenue, totaling $3.275 million. The staff cuts will affect 11 certified employees -- mostly teachers -- and 23 classified staff members. Some classified staff will lose their jobs, while others will see reduced hours, and some will be repositioned. In total 58 positions have been affected in some way, including positions removed by attrition and reductions through job sharing. “The decisions to do this have …

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Schools Will Take Twinsburg's 'Temperature' Using Phone Survey

After spring break the school district will ask residents to take a survey over the phone

As the changes to the Twinsburg City School District continue, the administration wants to get more feedback from the community. A community phone poll is being developed -- launching the week of April 16 -- to provide feedback on residents' satisfaction with the district's performance, especially regarding the recent $3.2 million changes. "We are curious to hear what the community thinks of the value of education and we want to be able to respond to concerns that are being raised," Superintendent Kathryn Powers said of the "temperature check". District officials will use voter registration records to contact 320 residents, -- chosen at random -- to take the survey, which should take 15 minutes to complete. An online survey will be posted …

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District Cuts Will Affect 58 Positions for Next Year

The final details of the district's operational changes plan will be made at the April 18 school board meeting

The Twinsburg City School District will bring the final round of cuts and changes to the April 18 school board meeting, saving the toughest changes for last. The school board will vote on the employee cuts, affecting 58 positions for the 2012-13 school year. This is the final part of the districts effort to reduce costs and add fees of $3.2 million for next year. Superintendent Kathryn Powers said the administration has informed all of the employees who will be affected by the partial or complete cutting of their positions. Some of the certified and classified postions will be dealt with through attrition. On March 21 Powers said that 13 classified employees, including teachers, will be cut. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our …

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Superintendent: 13 People Affected by Certified Staff Cuts

School officials are talking to teachers and other certified staff this week to notify those who will lose their jobs

In the 2012-13 school year, the Twinsburg City School District will be without 13 certified staff members in order to meet the $3.2 million goal in cuts and new revenue. Superintendent Kathryn Powers said school officials started meeting with teachers and staff affected by the "full out reduction" on Thursday. They will continue meeting with small groups of affected teachers outside of school hours through Friday. Powers could not give specifics on the positions because the meetings are still going on. Two weeks ago, Powers said the district would cut 20 certified staff members (or full-time equivalents), and 20 full-time equivalents for classified staff, meaning more than 20 positions could be cut to include part-time workers. The rest of…

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The 'Burg: A Week in Review

School Board Approves Additional Changes, and More: Week in Review

Catch up on this week's top stories

It was another busy week that has come and gone with some major new developments in the news world of Twinsburg. Twinsburg Patch brings you the news recap for this week: That's just a quick recap of the big stories. Don't forget about our Announcements page, Events calendar, Local Voices blogs, and our newly revamped "Places" business directory listing for more Twinsburg news and information.

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High School May Change the Typical School Day

In an effort to save the Twinsburg City School District money, Principal Louise Teringo has found some ways to change the high school schedule

As a way to meet the "moving target" with $3.2 million in cuts and new revenue for the Twinsburg City School District, the high school is looking to change how it schedules students next school year. Twinsburg High Principal Louise Teringo is looking to transition to an alternating block day schedule, letting students choose seven course offerings, rather than eight. Currently students take four 90-minute classes everyday each semester. Under the new system each class would last the entire year, rather than switching after the semester. It resembles a college schedule, offering four blocks on Tuesday/Thursday and three (plus a study lab) on Wednesday/Friday. Monday's schedule would be determined at the beginning of the year. “Sometimes we …

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School Board Makes First Operational Changes

The board of educations approved both an increase in preschool tuition and charging mileage for outside use of buses

The first shots have been fired in the battle to cut the Twinsburg City School District's budget for the 2012-13 school year. The school board voted Wednesday, approving the first two operational changes to the target of $3.2 million dollars in cuts and revenue. It unanimously approved increasing the fee for typical peer models (non-disabled students) at the preschool to $1,500, an increase of $500 from last year. Board President Ron Stuver said the fees Twinsburg charges are low compared to other area programs, and they may raise it again in the coming years. For now the move will generate roughly $18,000 per year, including snack fees. While developmentally disabled children attend for free, there are 28 peer models at the preschool, …

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District May Raise Preschool Fee to $1,500

Starting next school year, the cost of preschool for peer models could go up $500

The Twinsburg Board of Education will vote on two items tonight that will start the district's budget cuts. The board meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the Twinsburg Government Center. (Check out tonight's agenda in our PDF section to the right.) The first item the school board will vote on is raising the price of preschool for typical peer models (non-disabled students) to $1,500 starting in the 2012-13 school year. That's an increase of $500 per student. The fee is projected to create around $18,000 in new revenue for 12 students. The preschool program is part of Wilcox Primary School. The board will also vote to approve a charge of $1 per mile for outside organizations that use the district's buses. This could mean approximately $6,000 in new …

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Board Approves $3.2 Million in Cuts, Fees

Twinsburg Schools' superintendent will begin process of making cuts over next several months

The target has been set at $3.2 million in cuts and new revenue for the Twinsburg City Schools' administration to make for the next school year. “By the April 18 board meeting we will have defined what these cuts will look like,” Superintendent Kathryn Powers said. Powers now has an official target in which to cut expenses and increase revenue through the collection of fees by approximately $3.2 million for the 2012-13 school year. Changes will include adjustments in areas outlined at the reductions options planning meeting on Jan. 25. “Regardless of the final decisions, there will be actions taken that will be challenging, this will not be easy,” Board President Ron Stuver said. Stuver said the district can't cut it's way out of this "…

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