A Critical Time For Fairborn City Schools and the Fairborn Community

A Critical Time... Continued from page 1currently in Fiscal Caution and will be on the ballot untilnew operating revenue is secured.“Fairborn has a proud tradition and we have come sofar! Our Excellent ratings are at risk and our educationalprograms will be negatively impacted!” said DaveScarberry, Superintendent.Fairborn City Schools recently lost $3,300,000 from thestate and under the “new” budget, is projected to receive$409,910 while $2,643,427 will now be restricted. Statetakeover means we will owe money to the state AND willbe required to have money to operate. This is not a shortor long term solution for our schools.What does this mean for ourparents and students?At Elementary School:• Gifted program eliminated (students identified butnot served)• Consolidated bus routes/stops• Elimination of elementary orchestra• Elimination of Literacy Collaborative program/negative impact on elementary reading instruction• Physical education class sizes doubled• Excellent Rating at risk with elimination ofprograms and staffAt Middle School:• Increase in “Pay to Participate” fees for sports from$95 to $500 per sport/per season/no family cap• Club fees increased• Gifted Program eliminated (students identified butnot served)At High School:• Band fees will be $200 per student (based onparticipation of 50 students) and band will not travelto away games• Increase in “Pay to Participate” fees for sports from$150 to $500 per sport/per season/no family cap• Excellent Rating at risk with elimination ofprograms/staff• Gifted program eliminated (students identified butnot served)All Parents:• Our sports programs at both Baker Middle Schooland Fairborn High School will be devastated with$500 “Pay to Participate” fees.• Fairborn City Schools has three schools rated“Excellent” by the Ohio Department of Educationand these ratings will be at risk with the eliminationof programs and staff.• Fairborn City Schools will be forced to borrow fundsto operate which will have to be paid back.• Our community growth and new development willbe at risk if we are known as the community thatdoes not support our local public schools. Newfamilies will move to neighboring communities andFairborn will suffer!If the Levy Passes:• Pay to Participate fees at Baker Middle School andFairborn High School remain the same ($95 forBaker Middle School and $150 for Fairborn HighSchool with family caps)• Gifted program remains district-wide• Elementary orchestra program remains• Literacy Collaborative at elementary schools (helpingour elementary “Excellent” rating)• FCS and Fairborn community continue to makeprogress and improvements• General student fees K-8 eliminatedWhy is the Fairborn City SchoolDistrict still on the ballot?“Some school districts in the area pulled leviesfrom the ballot in anticipation of the state budget.Fairborn City Schools’ financial situation is toocritical to do so! Funds are needed NOW. Theproposed budget increase for Fairborn City Schoolswill NOT cover the projected defecit.”- Eric Beavers, Fairborn City Schools Treasurer, CFO2