Painesville Schools Raise Scores Amid Growing Budget Challenges in 2025

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series looking at what Lake County communities, agencies, and school districts experienced in 2025 and what is facing them in 2026.

Painesville City Schools Superintendent Josh Englehart recently reflected on a significant year for the district, spotlighting notable student achievements and the obstacles that lie ahead. “This has been a big year for student outcomes,” said Englehart, noting the district celebrated its highest-ever state report card rating in September. The district received a three-out-of-five-star rating from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, indicating it is meeting state standards.

One of the district’s key victories last year was a marked reduction in chronic absenteeism for the third consecutive year. Chronic absenteeism is defined as students missing 10% of the school year or more. During the tumultuous pandemic years, over 40% of Painesville City district students were classified as chronically absent. However, that figure fell to 23.9% in 2024-25, putting it just below the statewide average of 24.9%.

Englehart also celebrated the fifth consecutive year of improvement in the district’s graduation rate, achieving its highest-ever score in that category on the state report card. Remarkably, nearly half of the district’s graduates obtained a complete set of career credentials or a state license, a reflection of the district’s expanding career development courses.

This fall marked the launch of a new grant-funded course where Harvey High School students learned cooking skills at Painesville’s St. James Episcopal Church, contributing to the church’s meal program. “The impact of the strategic efforts we’ve been implementing over the past several years has truly shown in our state report card,” Englehart stated.

In addition to local achievements, Painesville City Schools made waves on a national scale when current Harvey seniors Symone Bibb, Jacob Boehm, and Alex Boskovic won the broadcast journalism category at the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference over the summer. Their triumph was publicly acknowledged at the district’s Sept. 8 board meeting.

Budget Challenges

Despite these accomplishments, the district faces significant budget challenges. Englehart articulated the gravity of the situation, citing that “school funding is currently a very serious challenge.” Painesville City Schools relies heavily on state funding due to receiving minimal local funding. The recent biennial state budget has eliminated key funding streams and offers less money for 2026 than was received in 2025, even as operational costs continue to rise.

The district anticipates a $1.7 million reduction in total revenue for 2026 compared to 2025. Although there will be a modest state funding increase between fiscal years 2026 and 2027, total revenues are still projected to fall over a million dollars short of 2025 levels.

In preparation for the 2025-26 school year, the district made nearly $2 million in cuts, which included reductions in teaching and staff positions, a salary freeze for administrators, a decrease in workdays for non-teaching staff, and the elimination of the summer learning program. Englehart remarked, “Our world was turned upside down in 2025,” highlighting the unexpected challenges faced, including a significant increase in healthcare costs averaging around 30%.

The district plans to implement an additional $1.5 million in cuts for next year, pushing them into a deficit that compels them to seek funding from the community for the first time since 2012. In December, the Painesville City School Board voted to place a continuous 1.25% earned income tax levy on the May 6, 2026 ballot, signaling a proactive approach to mitigate budget constraints.

Reestablishing fiscal stability will be a top priority for the district in the upcoming year, according to Englehart. This involves executing further cuts, redesigning healthcare strategies, and ensuring success at the ballot box. He acknowledges that maintaining the current positive trajectory while facing dwindling resources will be exceptionally challenging.

Englehart emphasized the need to minimize the impact of budget cuts on student experiences. “Our priority is to affect students as minimally as possible,” he stated. So far, the district has effectively managed this balance, but he foresees that deeper cuts will inevitably complicate future efforts.

Board News

This year, the Painesville City School Board has also focused on implementing energy efficiency initiatives. District Operations Director Ivan Salgado reported that a project introducing energy-efficient lighting will save the district approximately $45,000 to $46,000 annually in energy costs.

School board members discussed strategies to encourage compliance with cellphone restrictions among students, building on earlier success in reducing phone usage during school hours. Currently, sixth to twelfth grade students are allowed to use their phones only during lunch, school-related activities, or when explicitly instructed by a teacher. The state mandates that districts adopt a policy banning cell phone use during the instructional day by January 1.

In December, the board voted to extend Englehart’s contract for another five years, reflecting confidence in his leadership. However, as the board prepares for new membership, longtime board member Kathleen Powers-Dolney chose not to run for a new term, and board member Antonio Marinelli lost his bid for re-election.

As the new year approaches, community members Steve Costell and Mary Hada will join the board, serving four-year terms alongside current members Dorothy Jennings, Jessica Sams, and Frances Webb. With a new leadership dynamic, the Painesville City Schools will continue to navigate the complexities of educational funding and student success.