Despite levy approvals, hard choices ahead for Cleveland and Akron | Reporters Roundtable

On Election Day, voters in Cleveland overwhelmingly approved a new 10-year, 8.6 mill levy to fund operations. The issue also included a renewal of an expiring bond issue. But despite the levy's passage, the financial fortunes ahead for the district are rocky. A five-year forecast approved by CMSD's board of education this week show steep cuts are still needed to prevent the district from running into the red. The Akron Public Schools administration led by Superintendent Michael Robinson has been told by its board of education to find more places to cut in its expenses. The district also passed a combined levy and bond issue earlier this month. We will begin Friday’s “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable” with the financial choices ahead for the two districts.