MARYSVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — The Marysville City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday in favor of staff cuts after voters rejected a levy proposal last fall. 

Thirty positions will be eliminated effective May 23 if the 5.5 mill operating levy on the May ballot does not pass. 

Board members said the decision was not made lightly and is not a reflection of teachers’ performance. The cuts would include around two dozen teachers in subjects like art, music, and physical education. 

Cutting those positions would mean students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade would have physical education once a month and art and music experiences up to three times a year. 

The district has placed last fall’s failed 5.5 mill operating levy back on the ballot in May. If passed, those cuts would be restored. It would cost homeowners about $190 annually per $100,000 of assessed property value. 

“I’ve watched this district cut before and we’re just now, you know, and that literally when I say 20 years, 20 years coming back from those cuts, so it’s sad,” Marysville School Board Member Bill Keck said. “They’re doing what they can with the funds they have, and if the state decides that we’re not going to support our schools the way that, you know, we all would like to see that done, at the end of the day, it’s up to us as a community to do so. And that’s really the request here, is we’ve got to stand up and do it and support the schools as a community because that’s the position we’re in.” 

The board will hold a town hall meeting on March 31. Board members said it’s their priority that voters have all the information they need to make an informed decision on the May levy, so they are encouraging all residents to attend and ask questions.