July 22, 2026
Dear Mentor Schools Families and Staff,
I am writing to provide an update following last night's Board of Education work session regarding the district's ongoing financial planning, specifically the continued conversation surrounding a potential districtwide consolidation and grade-level reconfiguration plan.
Earlier this summer, we announced approximately $6.6 million in reductions for the 2026-27 school year through staffing changes, operational efficiencies, administration reductions, fee adjustments, and other cost-saving measures in response to the May levy failure. Those reductions are already being implemented.
We also previously shared, the district is committed to cutting an additional $3.3 million going into the 2027-2028 school year, which will likely come via a school consolidation plan with additional staffing reductions. Those planned reductions, combined with the $6.6 million in cuts this year, are the reason the operating levy request on the November ballot is for $3.9 million less per year than the proposal presented to voters in May, while still generating the revenue needed to maintain the district's current level of services.
We want to make sure the community understands these additional reductions are not dependent on the outcome of the November election. They are part of the district's long-term financial plan and will move forward regardless of whether the levy passes or fails.
During last night's public work session, we continued discussing a potential districtwide consolidation and grade-level reconfiguration plan as the way to reach the budget goals. While we are not at a point where any decisions have been finalized, we are sharing this information early so families and staff hear it directly from us rather than through rumors or incomplete information.
As part of the planning process, district leadership has been evaluating how our buildings are currently being used. As with any facilities management effort, available building capacity vs. usage rates and enrollment trends are key considerations.
One concept being discussed would take advantage of the available space at Mentor High School by moving eighth-grade students to the high school campus. That change would create additional capacity at Shore and Memorial, allowing those buildings to potentially transition to serving students in grades 4 through 7. Reconfiguring grade levels in this way could then create the opportunity to consolidate elementary school buildings for preschool through third-grade students.
We recognize that the idea of moving eighth-grade students to the high school may naturally raise questions for some families. If this concept continues through the planning process, we would work to ensure a smooth transition and help students make the most of the expanded academic and extracurricular opportunities that would become available to them. Likewise, no decisions have been made regarding which elementary buildings would ultimately be closed. However, we are looking closely at plans that would keep buildings together as much as possible.
While discussions like these can be difficult, this is not the first time Mentor Schools has evaluated its school configuration in response to declining enrollment. Throughout the years, our district has adapted and made changes while remaining focused on providing students with a well-rounded, high-quality education and being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources. Each time, our staff, students, families, and community have worked together to make those transitions successful. Should additional changes ultimately be approved, we are confident we would do so again.
These ideas remain in the planning and evaluation stages. Many details would need to be carefully studied before any recommendations or decisions are made, including school attendance boundaries, transportation, staffing, student supports, transition planning, and community input. Additional opportunities will be provided for families, staff, and community members to learn more and ask questions as the planning process continues.
We understand that conversations like these naturally create questions and uncertainty. We are committed to communicating openly throughout this process and will continue sharing information as discussions progress. For those who would like additional context, a recording of last night's Board of Education work session is available here on Cardinal TV YouTube.
Thank you for your continued support of Mentor Schools.
Sincerely,
Craig Heath
Superintendent