Youngstown City Schools approve Reduction in Force procedures for 2025–26
Last week, 21 News reported that the Youngstown City School District is consolidating schools as part of a long-term plan to better manage its resources. Now, the district is also beginning the process of reducing staff and reevaluating salaries to address projected deficit spending.
On Tuesday, the Youngstown City School Board approved a resolution that allows Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor to begin developing a Reduction in Force Plan (RIF) for the 2025–26 school year. While no specific positions were named, the resolution outlines that reductions are necessary due to declining enrollment, increased spending, and a need to align staffing with district priorities and available funds.
"We’re not in any academic or fiscal emergency right now, we just want to be proactive,” Batchelor said, noting that staff will not be affected immediately, but planning must begin now.
The board also approved adjustments to administrative salaries—though the details were not shared publicly before the meeting as originally anticipated. The agenda referenced an attached salary sheet, but that document was not included when the meeting materials were posted.
Batchelor acknowledged the challenges of addressing salaries, especially in a competitive market.
He told the board that many of the district’s current salaries were set “to stay competitive and attract leadership,” and admitted, “it’s difficult to go back once you're at that point.”
Despite that, he and several board members said reviewing administrative costs is necessary as part of a broader effort to reduce spending and avoid deeper financial issues down the line.
Board President Juanita Walker, Vice President Tina Cvetkovich, and members Kenneth Donaldson, Joe Meranto, Tiffany Patterson, Brenda Kimble, and Carie Watson voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.
This comes just days after the district unveiled a major reconfiguration plan that will merge Youngstown’s two traditional high schools and two middle schools by 2026. Officials say the goal is to create a more sustainable academic structure and expand student opportunities.
District leaders have pointed to a number of financial stressors, including lower state funding and a continued drop in student enrollment. Past changes have included the elimination of high school transportation and restructuring of special education busing.
21 News has also followed the district’s use of more than $78 million in federal ESSER funds during the pandemic—some of which went toward services and vendor contracts that offered little long-term return.
Batchelor said the district is working to make difficult decisions now to prevent more severe challenges in the future.
Further updates on the Reduction in Force plan and reconfiguration process are expected at upcoming meetings.
