CPS furlough days to affect all employees as budget cuts take effect

Some Cincinnati Public Schools employees learned this week that the district’s planned furlough schedule applies to all workers, including hourly employees. 

The clarification came in an email sent by the district on Aug. 6, just days before the first scheduled furlough day on Aug. 12.

According to reporting by Local 12, district leaders issued the message after discovering that some hourly employees did not realize the unpaid days would affect them as well. Salaried employees had already been informed about the furloughs during earlier budget discussions. The district said it wanted all staff members to have the same understanding of the policy before the school year begins.

The clarification arrives as Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) continues implementing one of its largest budget reduction plans in recent years. District officials approved the furloughs as part of broader spending cuts designed to close a projected budget deficit of nearly $58.6 million.  

CPS furlough days tied to broader budget reductions

The CPS Board of Education approved significant cost-cutting measures during budget deliberations in June. According to FOX19, the board authorized more than 100 job reductions and approved five furlough days for employees as part of a plan to balance the district’s finances.  

District Treasurer Mike Gustin previously said CPS faced rising costs while operating without new recurring revenue. In a statement released by the district, Gustin said the system closed a projected budget gap of nearly $58 million through staffing reductions, spending controls, service reorganizations, and furlough days.  

The district’s approved budget includes:

• Five employee furlough days
• More than 100 position reductions
• A 10 percent reduction in non-personnel spending
• Tighter hiring controls
• Service restructuring across departments

District officials said the measures were necessary to avoid deeper cuts to classroom instruction and student programs.  

According to the Cincinnati Business Courier, board members approved the reductions after months of discussion about the district’s financial outlook. Some board members expressed concerns about cuts affecting counselors and social workers but ultimately supported broader efforts to close the budget gap.  

Employee concerns emerge ahead of school year

The timing of the clarification has generated concern among some employees because the first furlough day is less than a week away.

Furlough days generally require employees to take unpaid leave on designated workdays. While districts often announce furlough schedules months in advance, confusion can occur when employees work under different contracts or pay structures.

Local 12 reported that some hourly workers were surprised by the district’s latest email because they did not understand they would be included in the furlough plan. The district’s message emphasized that the policy applies across employee groups. The goal, according to the report, was to ensure all staff members received consistent information before implementation.

The first furlough day falls on Aug. 12, which appears on the district calendar as a teacher classroom workday. The timing places the furlough immediately before students return for the new school year.  

Employee organizations and staff members have raised concerns throughout the budget process about how reductions could affect school operations. Community members also spoke during public meetings earlier this summer regarding the impact of staffing cuts and service reductions.  

CPS furlough days come as district seeks long-term funding solutions

While the furloughs address immediate budget pressures, district leaders continue searching for long-term revenue sources.

CPS officials recently discussed placing additional funding measures before voters after warning that ongoing financial pressures could eventually require more difficult decisions. District leaders have cited increased transportation, utility, insurance, and student service costs as major factors driving budget challenges.  

According to Axios Cincinnati, CPS leaders warned that failing to secure additional revenue could lead to future school consolidations, transportation reductions, or participation fees for athletic programs. The district recently shifted from a proposed earned-income tax approach to a property tax levy that voters may consider later this year.  

Budget documents released by the district show administrators have already implemented substantial spending reductions while attempting to protect classroom instruction. Officials say they continue reviewing operations and expenses to improve long-term financial stability.  

As the school year approaches, employees now have clearer guidance regarding the upcoming furlough schedule. Whether the measure provides sufficient savings remains part of a larger debate over how public school systems manage rising costs and long-term funding needs.