Board debates proposed staff eliminations as parents and members urge protection for music program

The Stow-Munroe Falls board spent substantial time May 4 discussing proposed reductions for the 2026–27 school year that administrators say are necessary to close roughly $1.2–$2.0 million in projected shortfalls. The recommendations presented by Superintendent Dr. Gold included elimination of seven teaching positions, two paraprofessionals, one exempt central‑office post, two administrators, reduced supplemental contracts and temporarily paused administrator cell‑phone reimbursements.

Board members and several parents, including music‑program supporters, pressed the administration for alternatives. One board member described watching hundreds of students fundraising and performing at a state choir contest and said the music program’s demonstrated community value made cutting it unacceptable without fuller justification and answers to vendor‑spending questions. Multiple board members asked for additional data on vendor contracts, technology costs and the question of whether some outsourced services can be brought in‑house to reduce costs.

Administrators and the treasurer described ongoing pressures from state funding changes and expiring local levies; the board was told recent software transitions (a 2022 change) have complicated cash reconciliations and auditing for prior years, supporting the need for contracted financial assistance. The board heard that staffing adjustments have been structured to limit classroom disruption by shifting existing employees to needed positions where possible, and that only one true reduction in force was expected under the current plan.

Several members emphasized the difficulty of the decisions and the need to balance fiscal stewardship with program preservation; the board voted on the personnel slate and on several contract and non‑renewal items during the meeting. The administration said it will continue to explore vendor spending, the technology model (including the one‑to‑one Chromebook approach) and alternatives to the proposed eliminations before finalizing broader implementation details.

The board asked for follow‑up information on vendor contract volumes and utilization metrics for tech support, and requested more clarity on the long‑term effect of proposed cuts on enrollment and co‑curricular recovery at critical entry points in fifth and sixth grades.

Next procedural steps: the board approved several routine personnel motions by roll call during the meeting and will receive more detailed financial and vendor‑use data at future meetings before final implementation of broader eliminations.