Westlake Schools Approve Almost $1 Million in Cuts, Eliminate 20 Positions

The Westlake City School Board of Education approved nearly $1 million dollars in cuts at the June 10 meeting according to our media partners at NewsNet5. 

Superintendent of Schools Dan Keegan said the district will eliminate 20 positions, including nine teachers and six bus drivers. Students living within a mile radius of the schools will no longer be bused. The cuts amounted to $930,000.

The cuts were not unexpected. After the district's most recent levy attempt failed with voters in May, Keenan said cuts were imminent. In May, he announced a list of probable cuts that would most likely be introduced tonight. 

The Westlake City School District also approved increasing health care costs for employees twice during the next school year, NewsNet5 said.

The superintendent will announce a full list of programs being eliminated on Tuesday.

The district's 5.9-mill May operating levy failed by just 47 votes, creating a $2.9 million deficit by the 2014-15 school year.

The district has posted an online survey and will conduct a telephone and community leader survey before deciding if another levy should go before voters in November, and if so, for how many mills. 

The survey will remain online for approximately one month. 

Read NewsNet5's full article here.