OHIO — For the past few years, a wide range of programs across the state and country have benefited from COVID-related funding. But as money starts to disappear, it’s making budgeting tougher for the groups who relied on it.

What You Need To Know

  • Mt. Healthy City Schools is making budget cuts next school year 

  • Those budget cuts includes laying off 80 employees, 67 of which are teachers 

  • Educational experts believe budget cuts like these can impact students and their leanring 

It appears that public school districts are experiencing the greatest impact. Mount Healthy City Schools in Southwest Ohio just announced it’s laying off 80 employees at the end of the school year, including more than 60 teachers.

At the same time, both the Cleveland and Cincinnati School districts have said they need to make cuts in order to balance their budget. And the head of the Ohio Education Association says in these situations, it’s the students who suffer.

“When class sizes become too large, that means that teachers aren’t able to give students the individual attention that they need and deserve,” said Scott Dimauro, Ohio Education Association president. “Sometimes it means a reduction in curricular programs, and some schools aren’t able to offer the range of courses.”

Mount Healthy said the staff it’s cutting will continue to be paid through the end of their contracts. Meanwhile, Cincinnati Public Schools says decisions on its future could be coming as soon as next week.