Cash-strapped school district cuts administrator position

OAK HARBOR — Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools' administration will have one fewer position.To save money, the school district will not refill a director of administrative services position. Keith Thorbahn resigned at the end of the 2018-19 school year and took another administrative position outside of Ohio."I wish to thank Mr. Thorbahn for his strong leadership and 25 years of dedicated service to the students of Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools as a teacher, building principal, and district leader, and wish him the best of success for the future," superintendent Guy Parmigian said.By cutting the position, Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools will save more than $100,000 in salary and benefits. Thorbahn's position will be split between other district officials, including Parmigian, who will also serve as the district's maintenance supervisor."We are committed to tightening our belts, being more efficient, and stretching each tax dollar to go as far as it can in providing a great education for our students," Parmigian said.In the past seven years, Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools has cut millions from its budget, including a bus mechanic, maintenance staff, teaching staff and administrators and consolidated bus routes.Beginning the 2019-20 school year, the district will implement multiple cuts and higher charges. For instance, teachers and support staff's base pay won't increase, lunch prices at all schools have increased 20 cents and pay-to-play fees will now be $75 per sport with a $300 family cap.Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools has also, for the upcoming school year, reduced payments of retirement benefits to administrators, moved to less expensive insurance plans, implemented lower salary schedules and reduced curriculum purchases, Parmigian said."You have to remember that all of the cuts over the past seven years are on top of $2 million in staffing cuts that were made in 2012, which resulted in the elimination of 40 staff positions across the district," he said. "The staff at BCS have become accustomed to do more with less and continue to provide exceptional results and opportunities for students. Our staff is truly second to none when it comes to flexibility and innovation."In May, Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools board members decided to put a five-year, 3.9-mill emergency operating levy on the Aug. 6 ballot. If approved, the levy would bring in about $1.5 million a year for daily operating expenses. The August levy comes after voters rejected the five-year, one percent earned income tax levy for the third time in one year. Early voting for the levy began Tuesday.The district's bleak financial outlook gained traction with the devaluation of the Davis-Besse nuclear plant and decreased state funding in recent years, leading to annual losses of $6 million.Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodThe cooling tower at Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor stands tall at 493 feet.