Why is the district making position reductions?

Position reductions made over recent weeks were a response to a 10-year trend of decreased student enrollment.
We have a responsibility to ensure that the staffing in our schools and departments is in proportion to the
number of students we serve. We have made these decisions strategically and, in many cases, have seen
teachers and support staff fill vacant positions, avoiding layoffs. While the process has been difficult, the
success and well-being of our students are at the center of our decisions.
ENROLLMENT HAS DECREASED
There is a difference of 791 students between July 2015 and November 2016. While the numbers are fluid, the
trend of decreasing enrollment continues.

We had 14,066 students in July of 2015 and a pass through of $70.2 million to charters, vouchers and
open enrollment (see link)
http://odevax.ode.state.oh.us/htbin/F2016-SFPR-WEB-REPORTS.COM?act=10-Jul2015&DISTRICT=IRN&irn=043844&county=01+Adams&sfprsum=y&adm=y&comm=y

We had 13,845 students in July of 2016 and a pass through of $74.3 million to charters, vouchers and
open enrollment (see link)
http://odevax.ode.state.oh.us/htbin/F2017-SFPR-WEBREPORTS.COM?act=01&DISTRICT=IRN&irn=043844&county=01+Adams&sfprsum=y&adm=y&co
mmsum=y

We had 13,275 students in November of 2016 and a pass through of $77.2 million to charters, vouchers
and open enrollment (see link)
http://odevax.ode.state.oh.us/htbin/F2017-SFPR-WEBREPORTS.COM?act=10&DISTRICT=IRN&irn=043844&county=01+Adams&sfprsum=y&adm=y&comm
sum=y
NOTE: The decrease in enrollment number and the amount passing through to other schools was just an estimate. We do not know whether they left to
charters other. ODE will use the actual numbers in December or early January 2017

How will the proposed position reductions impact DPS employees?

Position/ Bargaining Unit

Administrator
Teacher/ DEA
Paraprofessional/ OAPSE
Clerical/ OAPSE
Building Trades/AFL-CIO
Operations/DPSU
Mental Health Tech/OAPSE
Total Number of Positions

Number of Reduced Positions

*Retirements Included*
25*
31*
35*
8
7*
7
2
115

*This reduction was based on reduced student enrollment/ Reduction in Position Chart DPS HR

Final RIF/Abolishment
Number
(Retirements Not Included)
19
3
17
4
3
0
2
48

Why right-sizing the district begins with administration.

1. The latest 2015 ODE figures from the CUPP Report indicates that DPS has higher pupil administrator
ratio (139.92) than the average for similar districts (149.57), including Cincinnati (239.53) and Akron
(145.49).
2.

In terms of administration expenditure per pupil, DPS ($2,035.82) is once again higher than average
for similar districts ($1,769.60), including Akron ($1,861.17), and comparable to Cincinnati, a much
larger district where cost of living is higher ($2,039.90).

3. DPS enrolled 16,348 students in FY06 compared to our current enrollment of 13,198 currently. This is a
loss of more than 2,400 students in 10 years with no or inadequate adjustments in many areas. We are
addressing these now. Source: CUPP Report (See link below)
http://bireports.education.ohio.gov/PublicDW/asp/Main.aspx

How Title 1 Funds will be repurposed.

1. In lieu of 33 paraprofessional positions, there will be three adults in a computer-based environment with
smaller groups of children. The Title 1 paras serve the intervention program with the Title 1 teacher and
the classroom teacher.
2. The law requires those who teach third graders to hold a reading endorsement and it is recommended
that K-2 teachers are reading endorsed as well.
3. Money from title will be used for professional development for reading endorsements, teacher
leadership ad additional reading professional development. The title 1 money saved WILL NOT be used
to purchase additional Chromebook.
4. Funds will also be used to support and train teachers in the area of phonics in grade K-2. Small group
phonics instruction would provide the foundation young learners need to succeed.

How will other roles be filled with positions are abolished?

The district has partnerships with community mental health providers with whom the Office for Exceptional
Children has a contract for services. In addition each of these classrooms has a full-time paraprofessional
assigned that also supports students with disabilities. These and related services have been carefully reviewed so
that service to students will not be interrupted.

How is DPS offering support to employees who will no longer have a position with the
district?
The districts Human Resources Department will hold a Job and Support Fair to offer information on district
vacancies. Information also will be provided about additional employment resources will be made available.