We’re reaching out today with more information about Issue 5, the 3.5-mill operating levy on the November ballot for Mentor Schools, because we know many families and community members have an important question: What would actually be cut if the levy does not pass? This is something we want to answer as clearly as we can.
If Issue 5 does not pass, Mentor Schools will need to reduce expenses by at least another $9.6 million going into the 2027–28 school year. While every individual reduction has not yet been finalized, we know enough about the scale of what would be required to explain what those reductions could mean for our students, staff, and families.
To understand why reductions of this magnitude would have such a significant impact, it’s helpful to look at the steps Mentor Schools has already taken to control costs.
Over the last 22 years, district leadership has worked to be fiscally responsible while protecting the educational experience our students receive each day. We have worked to stretch our funding as operating costs have continued to rise while district revenue has remained relatively flat. Major cost-saving initiatives have included reducing staffing proportionately with student enrollment, closing and selling school buildings, redistricting and consolidating, changing employee benefit plans, cutting budgets, pursuing alternative revenue sources, securing grant funding, and more. These efforts are why Mentor Schools has added only one new-money operating levy in the past 22 years, approved by voters in 2016.
This year alone, the district implemented approximately $6.6 million in cost-saving measures. We are also moving forward with school consolidation for the 2027–28 school year, which will allow us to better align our facilities and staffing with enrollment and save approximately $3.4 million annually. Those reductions are already accounted for.
Another $9.6 million or more in reductions, on top of those already planned, cannot come from efficiencies alone. At that level, the reductions will affect the educational experience we can provide to students. Curriculum offerings, programs, services, and opportunities that are not required by the state will need to be considered as potential areas for reduction.
Fewer teachers and larger classes
Staffing represents the largest portion of a school district’s operating budget, which means reductions of this size require significant staffing changes.
Our current planning includes the reduction of approximately:
77 certified positions (teachers and other licensed educational staff)
39 classified positions (classroom assistants, secretaries, health techs, custodians and other support staff)
5 administrative positions (district and school administrators)
At the elementary level, fewer teachers will mean larger class sizes. Specials could also be significantly reduced, including art, music, STEAM, and physical education, with only the physical education instruction necessary to meet state requirements maintained. (Art, music, and STEAM are not required, while the state requires far less physical education than Mentor Schools currently provides.)
Gifted services could also be reduced. While Ohio requires districts to identify students who are gifted, districts are not required to provide gifted services.
Fewer classified and other support positions would also mean fewer adults available to support students and teachers in the classroom, including the individualized and small-group support that helps teachers differentiate instruction for students with different learning needs.
Fewer choices for middle and high school students
At the secondary level, fewer teachers means fewer courses can be offered.
Courses students need to meet state graduation requirements would have to be prioritized. As a result, students could have fewer electives and fewer opportunities to explore interests beyond required coursework, as our current offerings exceed what the state requires.
For example, students are required to complete only two semesters of fine arts to graduate and world language is not required for a standard Ohio diploma, although many four-year colleges require at least two years for admission. Mentor Schools also currently provides more health and physical education instruction than the state minimum because we believe those experiences are important to student health and well-being. For additional context, only five elective credits are required for graduation.
As staffing is reduced, courses and instructional opportunities beyond state requirements would need to be considered for reduction.
Fewer people supporting student safety and wellbeing
Current planning also includes the elimination of:
6 School Resource Officer positions
10 Signature Health counselor positions
Over the past several years, Mentor Schools has intentionally expanded these supports as part of our focus on student safety and well-being. The district has increased the number of School Resource Officers serving our schools and partnered with Signature Health to provide students with greater access to school-based mental health services.
Together, these reductions would reverse some of the additional investments the district has made in recent years to expand student safety and mental health supports.
Transportation reduced toward state-minimums
Mentor Schools currently provides transportation beyond what is required by state law. Ohio requires districts to provide transportation for students in grades K–8 who live more than two miles from their assigned school; districts are not generally required to provide transportation for high school students.
As part of the reductions, transportation would be reduced toward state-required levels, which would mean significantly more families becoming responsible for getting their children to and from school. Eliminating high school transportation would also affect Mentor residents whose students currently receive district transportation to non-public high schools.
Athletics would face significant funding reductions
Mentor Schools currently uses district funding to help operate our athletic programs. Under the reductions being considered, district funding for athletics would be reduced. This could mean higher pay-to-participate fees, changes to or elimination of the current family fee cap, and greater reliance on fundraising or other revenue to cover costs while continuing to meet Title IX and OHSAA requirements.
Other student activities would also be affected
Mentor Schools offers a wide range of clubs, activities, and extracurricular opportunities beyond athletics. With less district funding available, some activities could be eliminated, while others could require higher participation fees, fundraising or other revenue to continue.
What would Issue 5 cost?
The proposed 3.5-mill levy would cost property owners approximately $123 per year (or $10.25/month) for every $100,000 of property value.
Mentor Schools remains committed to being a responsible steward of our community’s tax dollars. Our overall per-pupil spending is below the state average and in the lower half of Lake County school districts, while continuing to prioritize spending on classroom instruction and maintaining comparatively low administrative costs.
While every individual reduction has not yet been finalized, we hope this information provides a clearer picture of what additional reductions of at least $9.6 million could mean for our schools. As we navigate the financial challenges ahead, our focus remains on providing a high-quality education in a safe learning environment where the children of our community can learn, grow and reach their potential. We will continue to keep our families, staff and community informed and share additional details as they become available.
Mentor Public Schools