STEWART, Ohio – With a budget deficit projected for the 2024–25 fiscal year, the Federal Hocking Local Schools Board of Education will likely discuss further budget cuts at its July 16 meeting.
The district already eliminated five positions through attrition, effective July 1, through a memorandum of understanding with the Federal Hocking Teachers Association. Superintendent David Hanning and FHTA co-president Tracy Keirns signed the MOU on June 6; the board of education approved the agreement at its June 18 meeting.
The move is a step toward eliminating a projected budget deficit, which district treasurer Bruce Steenrod said will exceed $666,000 in the 2025 fiscal year. WOUB reported May 17 that the district may face a $1.66 million shortfall by 2027 if it does not cut spending.
Positions to be eliminated under the MOU are a fifth-grade teacher at Amesville Elementary, a kindergarten teacher at Coolville Elementary, a physical education teacher at Federal Hocking Middle School, and a math teacher and a technology position at Federal Hocking High School.
Over a dozen district students, staff and families expressed concerns about staff reductions at the board’s May 21 meeting. Those concerns included loss of elective courses, the impact on beloved staff members and the high school’s internship program.
Federal Hocking High School Principal Jake Amlin confirmed that several elective courses will be eliminated this school year because their teachers are retiring and the positions will not be filled. The lost courses include drama and career technology classes in information technology and digital design, Amlin said; he hopes students interested in those classes will become involved in the school’s drama club and take advantage of the school’s connection to the Tri-County Career Center.
According to the board’s statements at the May 21 meeting, the present administrative structure will remain the same, with individual principals at both district elementary schools, the middle school and the high school.
Other positions opened through retirements and resignations will cost the district less because the new employees will have less seniority and thus will receive lower starting salaries, Steenrod said in an interview with the Independent.
“Current employees’ salaries are not being cut,” Steenrod said.
Both FHTA and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents the district’s classified staff, have signed one-year contracts with the district. New contract talks will take place next summer.
AFSCME Region 8 Communications Director Namita Waghray said in an email that the union has not heard from the board “about the reduction plan, nor have we received any written communication or plans outlining the upcoming budget.”
“When we do, our goal will be to work with the board as we have done in the past. The district may be facing difficult challenges. We believe that if we address these challenges together as we have in the past, we can find positive solutions,” Waghray said.
The Federal Hocking Teachers Association declined to issue an official statement regarding the MOU.
“I believe all of the county schools were hit by the 29% insurance increase — as were all of the staff. The district’s finances are good otherwise,” former FHTA President Sonja Coble said in a text.
According to a presentation made by the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, higher insurance premiums are the result of a county-wide increase in insurance costs, stemming from the insurance company itself. All schools in Athens County experienced an increase in insurance premiums.
Steenrod said that even with the MOU, the district’s current five-year forecast projects deficits in its final two years.
“There are going to have to be further reductions made in the future,” he said. Those reductions will likely include additional position cuts; specifically, Steenrod mentioned the loss of an aide position.
However, Hanning’s upcoming retirement – effective July 31 — means the district may “pump the brakes“ on determining further staff cuts until a new superintendent is in place, Steenrod said.
The board held a special meeting July 9 to interview superintendent candidates. A second special meeting — described as a “work session” involving the board, Steenrod and interim superintendent Bruce Hoover— is scheduled for today, Thursday, July 11 at 5:30 p.m. in the high school library.
The Federal Hocking Board of Education meets the third Tuesday of each month. Its next meeting will be Tuesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. at the Federal Hocking High School library, 8461 SR 144, in Stewart. Find meeting minutes and more online.
