Ohio parents expressed concern after Toledo Public Schools (TPS) announced plans for a budget cut as one of several major changes that are being considered.
Some Beverly neighborhood parents also said that they are unsure whether or not they would stay in the district if the plans move forward. The situation comes as the Beverly neighborhood is a feeder for Bowsher High School, and Beverly Elementary is one of the strongest-performing schools in the district.
Toledo Public Schools' Planned Budget Cuts
One parent, Whitney Drouillard, said that her two kids are thriving at their school, noting that the elementary school is a great institution. She also praised all of the teachers, the superintendents, and everything else.
The mother credits the school staff for her daughter's growth, from preschool to kindergarten. State report cards also support the school's reputation, giving Beverly a four-star rating, which is among the highest in the district, according to WTOL.
One parent whose family decided to live in the neighborhood because of Beverly's reputation is Katie Keister, who came from Holland. She said that her children love Beverly so much that they don't want to leave.
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But being a single parent, Keister said that she has grown frustrated by TPS considering a switch to a four-day school week and converting K-8 schools, such as Beverly, into K-6 buildings.
The situation comes as CFO/treasurer at TPS, Ryan Stechschulte, said that the district is looking at a total of $68 million in cuts from the state starting in fiscal year 2026. Broken down, the cuts are $18 million in planned reductions from the 2024 levy, $13 million in negotiated salary and health benefit costs above forecasted amounts for 2026 and 2027, and $12 million in cuts for both 2026 and 2027, the Toledo Blade reported.
Several Major Changes
Stechschulte added that state officials were using numbers from 2022 for the budget reductions and used average teacher salaries at the time in deciding the reductions. The cuts come as TPS has experienced enrollment declines, resulting in a decrease in Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid funding. The district lost $3 million for 2026 and $7 million for 2027.
On top of budget cuts and a proposed four-day school week, another change that district leaders are considering is increasing the number of magnet schools and making changes to building configurations.
A TPS spokesperson said that the changes aim to balance the operating budget while also bringing in new career-focused academic offerings. Additionally, they are seeking out input through community meetings and conversations with stakeholders, as per 13ABC.
