Columbus City Schools' leaders say budget cuts will not be as deep now that they understand details of the governor's proposed budget include an additional $25 million dollars. Spokesman Jeff Warner says the district found out last week about how much more state funding should be coming. Warner says that will save cuts to high school transportation, middle school athletics and the length of the school day. "It was a very pleasant surprise. Obviously it reduces the impact to the reductions we have to make. We still have to make about $15.5 million in reductions in order to maintain a positive cash balance through the end of next year," says Warner. Warner says Superintendent Gene Harris has now proposed cutting 11 of her administrators in next year's budget, instead of only 2.
Debbie Holmes has worked at WOSU News since 2009. She has hosted All Things Considered, since May 2021. Prior to that she was the host of Morning Edition and a reporter.