OTSEGO, Ohio — Last school year, Otsego district leaders made a list of possible cuts the district could make if its levy failed, and it did. While all cuts weren't made, there were some tough decisions.
School Board President Brad Anderson said positions were eliminated by the school board.
"Every cut that we made hurt the kids," Anderson said. "But the lights are on, kids are learning, that's the goal at the end of the day."
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Anderson said the board had to find ways to save money after voters said no to an income tax levy in March.
"We're mandated by the state to provide an education for every student in our district and that's what we'll do," Anderson said.
District leaders listed the cuts that were made: the athletic director, four school aids, student extra-curricular transportation on Sundays and school breaks, one school counselor and one online teacher.
"Pretty significant cuts but those cuts were able to save us from a really bad spot," said District Superintendent Kevin O'Shea.
O'Shea said the cuts saved more than $775,000 for the district.
"We certainly made the problem better in the short run, but long-term we're still going to have to solve some financial issues that we will get to years two, three, four and five in the five-year forecast," he said.
But O'Shea said he's hoping the cuts aren't felt by students because everyone is working together to fill the gaps.
Nick Smith is grateful for the district as his two kids return to school at Otsego.
"They were able to work through everything and minimize any impact to the kids, including all of their extracurriculars and everything, so seeing that made us proud to be here," Smith said.
O'Shea said most cuts were people who were leaving the district already and the district decided to not replace them. The district is also considering taking another levy to the ballot at some point in the future.