Superintendent Jerome Pecko retires this July, but he still believes in the future of Toledo schools. He and other leaders were proud to attend the first annual TPS Fest on Thursday, an event highlighting some of the very best things in the district.
But future spending freezes are scary, especially after years of state cuts.
"That came as quite a surprise to myself, our treasurer, and some other folks locally," says Dr. Pecko. "Last week we walked away from that meeting down in Columbus thinking there going to be some additional dollars coming to Toledo and that didn't happen."
Governor Kasich's most recent numbers show Toledo getting $193 million next year, the same amount as 2013. The school system will see a four percent hike in 2015, but that's tiny compared to the 18, 25 and 40 percent bumps in other districts.
"This is all very unclear and that's the problem with this process," says Lisa Sobecki, a TPS school board member.
"Definitely I would like to see a better balance in the way the money is distributed and it's just not there," says Pecko.
Voters rejected a levy request last November, and TPS leaders won't put one on the ballot this May. The stagnant state money isn't welcome news, but school officials say it's the hand they've been dealt.
"Now looking at a freeze again this year after taking a cut, it makes it pretty tough on the school district," says the superintendent.
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