School officials warn about budget cuts

VANDALIA, Ohio (WDTN) - Vandalia-Butler Schools warned parents Tuesday night that any more cuts in the district could keep their child from getting into college.

One parent attending the meeting said there's a lack of confidence in the board and leadership in the district. It is part of the reason Irene Fishbein believes the last three levies have failed in the Vandalia-Butler City School District. During a public meeting Tuesday night, Daniel Schall, chief financial officer, told concerned parents the district is working on May levy options.

So far, they've made more than $3.5 million in cuts, but if a levy is turned down, district officials say they'll be forced to only offer the state minimum requirements - which means major cuts will come to teachers, extracurricular activities and honors classes.

"As school districts have to reduce those things because there's not enough money, that has an impact on the students' ability to get into college," said Schall.

He said students will have a difficult time getting enrolled in competitive universities like the University of Dayton, the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University.

That is horrible news says Fishbein. Both her children attend Butler High School.

"If we lose all of those activities I don't know what I'm going to do," she said. "I'm going to have to move them somewhere else if they're not going to be able to get the academics that they need."

On Feb. 4, the school board will decide what to proceed with on the May ballot.