Centerville Schools drop $2.6-million budget ax

CENTERVILLE, Ohio (WDTN) - The Centerville City Schools dropped a $2.6-million budget ax Monday night at the school board meeting.

District leaders announced a long list of cuts as the school district struggles with its budget.

The district will put a new 6.9 mill operating levy on the May 7 ballot, but these cuts are happening anyway.

The district treasurer estimates the levy will raise more than $11 million dollars a year, but it won't be enough to keep everything going.

Here is a complete list of cuts made Monday evening:

Centerville High School:

- a 20 percent reduction in money for clubs and sports

- scaled back bussing at the high school

- cuts to nature programs and field trips

- music programs

- 50 percent increase in pay to play fees

- expanded walk zone from 1 1/2 miles to 2 miles

- business medical program

- modify the yearbook and mass communication and broadcasting management programs

- drop languages including Arabic, Chinese, Latin, American Sign Language

- field trips

- professional development will be in-house only

Middle School:

- grant nature program
- band tutors
- modify gifted program

Elementary Schools:

- no grant nature program
- phase out fourth and fifth grade orchestra
- increase pay to play 50%

Centerville had a levy defeated for the first time in many years back in November 2012.