Stow-Munroe Falls Schools: Budget Cuts, Choir Honors, and New Tuition Rates

Faced with expiring levies and a $2 million clawback due in August, the Stow-Munroe Falls board cut $1.2 million from the budget and replaced open enrollment with paid tuition for non-residents — even as it celebrated a seventh-straight superior rating for the high school choir. Faced with mounting fiscal pressures and the expiration of local levies, the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District Board of Education took decisive action Monday night to stabilize the district's future. The board voted to move forward with $1.2 million in staff and program reductions for the 2026-27 school year, while simultaneously ending traditional open enrollment in favor of a paid tuition model for non-resident students. Choir Excellence and Community Hero Recognition The meeting began with a celebration of the Stow-Munroe Falls High School choir program, led by Director Nicholas Campagna. Dr. Gould reported that all 100 students in the program participated in the OMEA state contest, with the Advanced Concert Choir earning its seventh consecutive superior rating. The Bulldog Varsity Singers, a tenor and bass choir, also qualified for the state contest in their first year of existence. Following the musical honors, the board recognized Pastor Chris Laws and the Living Vine Community Church for their "extraordinary hospitality" during an elementary school evacuation on February 25, 2026. The church provided a sanctuary, cafeteria space, and entertainment for students during the crisis. The board also issued a proclamation for "Heroes Day," thanking local police, fire, and EMS personnel for their dedication. Board Approves $1.2 Million in Budget Reductions A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the approval of a $1.2 million reduction plan for the 2026-27 school year. The cuts include: Staffing: Elimination of seven teaching positions, two paraprofessional roles, two administrator positions, and one central office exempt position. Operations: A one-year pause on cell phone reimbursements for administrators and reductions in supplemental contracts for curriculum facilitators and mentors. Impact: Dr. Gould clarified that most of these changes would be managed through attrition and shifting staff, with only one "true" reduction in force (RIF) expected. Board Member Jason Whitacre expressed concern regarding the impact of the cuts on "top-shelf" programs like music and band, calling for more transparency in vendor spending and administrative costs before further cuts are made. The motion ultimately passed with a 3-1 vote, as other members emphasized the necessity of balancing the budget against a $2 million clawback due in August. New Tuition Model for Non-Resident Students In a move to protect the district's bottom line, the board voted to suspend its current open enrollment policy and transition to a tuition-based system. Residents and students shared emotional testimony, urging the board to "choose people over dollars," but the board cited the state's voucher system and declining funding as the primary drivers for the change. The new policy, presented with data from Assistant Superintendent Kristie Prough, sets a tuition rate of $2,500 for grades K-11 and $2,000 for grade 12 for the 2026-27 school year. The change aims to close a projected $448,000 gap created by the cost of educating non-resident students. The board noted that tuition rates will be reviewed annually and that students currently enrolled through open enrollment must reapply under the new tuition structure. Looking Ahead: Upcoming Levy Decisions Interim Treasurer Ira Hamman provided a sobering look at the district's "drop-dead dates" for future funding. With three emergency levies set to expire over the next seven years — the first ending in December 2026 — Hamman outlined a timeline to place a new levy on the August 2026 ballot. A resolution of necessity is required by June 8 to meet the Board of Elections' filing deadline. Want your business featured on NEOhio.news? Email julie@spidercatmarketing.com