Lebanon Community School District announced reductions in staff, athletics programs and operations following an announcement that its budget for next year will be reduced by $2 million.
In a message sent out to district parents last week, Supt. Jennifer Meckley said those working on the budget focused on preserving student learning time, maintaining academic support and minimizing direct impacts to instruction.
“These decisions have not been easy, and we recognize the impact they may have across our schools and community,” she said in the letter. “Throughout this process, my top priority has been to make reductions as far away from the classroom as possible.”
The district announced reductions across several areas, including:
- 4.25 licensed staff positions – two at Lebanon High School, one at Riverview Elementary and 1.25 at Hamilton Creek.
- 14 educational support positions across schools and departments
- Elimination of two district office administrative positions
- $50,000 reduction in nutrition services (no impact to student meals)
- $50,000 reduction in capital projects
- $95,000 reduction in bus replacement funding
- $350,000 one-time reduction from the textbook replacement fund
- $100,000 overall reduction to the athletics budget between Seven Oak Middle School and LHS
- 10 assistant coaching positions between LHS and Seven Oak
- The middle school football program will be discontinued
- And participation fees will increase from $100 to $150 at LHS and from $50 to $75 for middle school sports
“I understand that each of these reductions represents a real impact to our staff, students and families,” Meckley said. “While these decisions are difficult, they are necessary to ensure the long-term financial stability of our district.”
The budget proposal for 2026-2027 will be presented to the Budget Committee at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at the Lebanon Public Library, 55 Academy St.