A Youngstown City School District board work session Saturday morning revealed that cuts and budget reductions are expected next year.

YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor told 21 News the cuts will start with contracts that are no longer needed in the district, and employees who are retiring. 

Batchelor said there will be no teachers cut initially and that they are looking at all classifications, starting at the top and working their way down for the next school year.

Superintendent Batchelor said he expects to make recommendations in mid-April after continuing discussions with principals.

Batchelor told 21 News the potential reductions come in light of a projected deficit in the five-year general fund forecast.

The Youngstown City School District Performance Audit from October 31, 2022, through June 30, 2023, was completed by the Ohio Auditor's Office. The report stated that the district's finances will be in deficit by 2027, with an estimated $4.2 million, and by 2028, the deficit is anticipated to quadruple to nearly $16.9 million.

The audit stated that the financial issues were expected even with the November renewal of the emergency 9.51 mill levy that will generate nearly $5.3 million annually for operating expenses.

The audit also noted that the District's expenditures exceeded the statewide average.