Скачать или смотреть Barberton City Schools placed in fiscal caution as district warns it could run out of cash by fall

The Barberton City School District is facing serious financial challenges after the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce placed the district in fiscal caution — the first level of state oversight for school districts showing signs of financial trouble.

Ashley Romig, a Barberton resident and mother of seven who has lived in the community for about 13 years, says the district's financial situation has become a frequent topic of conversation across town.

"Everywhere we've gone — from the coffee shops to the library to the local shops — like, people are talking about it," Romig told 3News. "People are worried."

Barberton Schools Superintendent Jason Ondrus says the school system is spending more money than it is bringing in.

"We are currently deficit spending, and if you look at our last February forecast that we submitted, we're looking at potentially running out of cash in September of '26," Ondrus warned

That timeline means the district could face a cash shortage within the next few months, with the projected deficit growing to $11.3 million by fiscal year 2030. Barberton's annual operating budget is more than $60 million.

Danielle Wiggins reports. --

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