The Pickerington Local School District has announced that further budget reductions will be necessary to balance its finances unless voters approve a 0.75% income tax levy in November.

Read in Somali ↓

The warning follows $3.25 million in spending cuts already executed after voters rejected a 1.25% income tax levy in May. According to the district’s five-year budget forecast, the school system projects a net loss of $9.63 million by 2031.

District officials outlined several programs that could be reduced or eliminated if the upcoming levy fails. On the chopping block are high school electives, middle school band and orchestra, select middle school “B” athletic teams, and on-campus College Credit Plus courses. Superintendent Charles Smialek indicated that further cuts could take effect in early 2027 if voters do not approve the measure.

Smialek stated that families often move to Pickerington specifically for the quality of its schools, warning that continued revenue gaps will force deeper cuts into fundamental student services and educational experiences. He emphasized that the district plans to spend the coming months informing residents about the financial situation so voters can make an educated choice at the ballot box.

School officials noted that financial pressure may continue even if the November levy passes.

The district’s financial forecast incorporates a new collective bargaining agreement with the Pickerington Education Association. The contract, which spans from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028, grants certified staff a 1% base salary increase and a 1% stipend in its first year.

Source: WOSU — Original report

Wararka Af-Soomaaliga

Dugsiyada Pickerington oo Digniin ka Bixiyay Dhimis Hor leh oo Lagu Sameeyo Barnaamijyada

Maamulka dugsiyada Pickerington Local School District ayaa ku dhawaaqay in dhimis dheeraad ah oo lagu sameeyo miisaaniyadda ay lagama maarmaan noqon doonto si loo dheelli tiro maaliyadda, mar haddii codbixiyayaashu aysan ansixin soo jeedinta cashuurta dakhliga oo dhan 0.75% bisha Nofembar ee soo socota.

Digniintan ayaa timid ka dib markii hore loo jaray miisaaniyad dhan $3.25 milyan oo doolar, ka dib markii codbixiyayaashu bishii May gachaan farixeen soo jeedin cashuureed oo ahayd 1.25%. Sida ku xusan saadaasha miisaaniyadda shanta sano ee dugsiyada, waxaa la filayaa in guud ahaan khasaaraha maaliyadeed uu gaaro $9.63 milyan oo doolar marka la gaaro sannadka 2031.

Madaxda dugsiyada ayaa tilmaamay barnaamijyo dhowr ah oo la dhimayo ama gebi ahaanba la baabbi’in doono haddii soo jeedinta maaliyadeed ee Nofembar ay dhacdo. Barnaamijyada khatarta ku jira waxaa ka mid ah koorsooyinka doorashada ee dugsiyada sare (high school electives), kooxaha muusigga ee dugsiyada dhexe (band and orchestra), qaar ka mid ah kooxaha ciyaaraha ee dugsiyada dhexe, iyo koorsooyinka kuleejka ee lagu dhex bixiyo xarunta dugsiga ee College Credit Plus. Isuduwaha dugsiyada Charles Smialek ayaa sheegay in dhimis dheeraad ah ay dhici karto bilowga sannadka 2027 haddii Nofembar la guuldarreysto.

Charles Smialek ayaa sheegay in qoysas badan ay Pickerington u soo guuraan gaar ahaan tayada dugsiyadeeda darteed, wuxuuna hoosta ka lineeyay in farqiga sii kraya ee u dhexeeya dakhliga iyo kharashka uu qasbi doono dhimis saameyn ku yeelata adeegyada aasaasiga ah iyo waxbarashada ardayda. Wuxuu intaas ku daray in maamulku uu ka shaqayn doono wacyigalinta dadweynaha inta ka horeysa maalinta doorashada si ay u dhiabtaan cod aqoon ku basada.

Sidoo kale, maamulka dugsiyadu wuxuu xusay in culeyska maaliyadeed uu sii jiri karo xitaa haddii soo jeedinta cashuurta ee Nofembar ay meel marto. Saadaasha maaliyadeed ayaa sidoo kale ku dhex jirta heshiiska cusub ee u dhexeeya dugsiyada iyo ururka Pickerington Education Association. Heshiiskan oo soconaya July 1, 2026 illaa June 30, 2028, ayaa sannadka ugu horreeya shaqaalaha la aqoonsan yahay u siinaya korodh mushahar oo ah 1% iyo kaalmo hal mar ah oo dhan 1%.

Xigasho: WOSU