Back to school Wednesday for Cincinnati Public amid budget crisis

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Wednesday is the first day of class for Cincinnati Public Schools.

The district faces a severe budget crisis this school year, driven primarily by the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funding.

To address the shortfall, the district placed a 5-year, 7-mill property-tax levy on the ballot to avoid a state-mandated financial recovery plan.

The district also cut 111 staff positions to help close a $58.6 million budget gap.

• School-level staff: Social workers, counselors, and assistant principals.
• Administrative staff: Central office personnel and administrators.
• Academic support roles: Staffing changes and cuts impacting English Language Learning (ELL/ESL) positions

The district also reduced non-personnel spending by 10%, ending its International Baccalaureate programs, and implemented mandatory furloughs for administrators and teachers.

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