FCS Families,

Findlay City Schools continues to make steady progress toward the transportation enhancement goals established earlier this fall. Our team remains focused on building a transportation system that is reliable, efficient, and sustainable for our students and families.

Specifically, we are working toward the following objectives:

• Providing busing for K–5 students who live beyond a one-mile walking radius
• Providing busing for students in grades 6–12 who live beyond a two-mile walking radius
• Ensuring no more than a 0.25-mile walk to any designated bus stop
• Maintaining current school start times for all students, PreK–12

Since our November update, several important steps have been completed to strengthen data accuracy and routing capabilities:

GPS Technology
The district has enhanced GPS software for the entire bus fleet. Equipment has been ordered and is scheduled for installation in January. Once operational, this system will provide families with real-time bus location updates and will allow the district to better monitor timing, staffing, and route efficiency.

Updated Routing System
All city maps have now been fully updated within the routing system. While this process typically takes several months, the work was completed in just a few weeks. This milestone will significantly improve route accuracy and long-term planning.

Verified Ridership Database
The district’s ridership database has been fully updated and verified. This step is essential to ensuring routes are built on accurate enrollment and address data.

Staffing and Driver Recruitment
Work continues in order to meet staffing needs that will fully support the planned routing structure.

• The district must still hire additional drivers to meet projected route demands.
• To support recruitment, the onboarding process for non-licensed drivers has been streamlined, reducing the timeline from 6–8 weeks to approximately 30 days. This timeline cannot be shortened further without compromising safety standards, which remain our top priority.

Those interested in joining our transportation team can apply HERE.

Going Forward
Overall, meaningful progress has been made in strengthening data, technology, and route planning. However, additional work remains, particularly in securing the drivers needed to fully implement expanded transportation. As a result, transportation services will not be enhanced by the time students return in January. We are making steady progress and will continue to keep the community informed as next steps are reached. Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support as we work toward a sustainable long-term solution.

Sincerely, 
Andy Hatton
Superintendent

FCS Families,

As a follow-up to the September 2025 communication, I want to provide an update on our work to strengthen our transportation plan for future service enhancements. We continue to face several challenges in restoring services after the reductions last spring, including the ongoing bus driver shortage, which limits how quickly we can expand service. 

Even with ongoing constraints, transportation continues to be one of our top operational priorities. Our goal is a system that is reliable, efficient, and sustainable for the future.

Addressing Issues

Following a comprehensive review of our transportation department, we have taken the following steps:

• Added an experienced Transportation Manager who is analyzing routes, training dispatchers, and improving daily operations.

• Launched a process to improve the accuracy of ridership data, which allows us to better measure ride times, capacity, and route needs.

• Replaced our ineffective cellular-triangulation tracking system with the installation of a modern global position system (GPS) on every bus to improve route accuracy and efficiency, support real-time bus analytics, and enhance communication with families.

• Continued targeted hiring and retention efforts to attract and keep qualified bus drivers.

Outlook for 2026

The goals we are working towards include: 

• Provide bussing to K-5 students who reside beyond a 1-mile walk radius

• Provide bussing to 6-12 students who reside beyond a 2-mile walk radius

• Ensure a maximum .25 walking distance to a bus stop 

• Maintain our current start times for each school, PreK-12. 

Our focus for 2026 is a transportation system that is efficient, data-driven, and financially stable. Before we can enhance service, we must have:

• Full GPS system integration across all routes

• A fully cleaned and verified ridership database to reroute the district to meet the goals

• Enough bus drivers to maintain route stability and cover absences and emergencies

The district still has significant work to do to firmly establish these elements before we can move forward with service enhancements that are sustainable for the long term.

We are grateful for your patience and partnership as we do this work. The progress underway is building a stronger transportation system that better serves all students safely, efficiently, and sustainably. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of our students, our staff, and our schools.

Sincerely, 

Andy Hatton
Superintendent
Findlay City Schools

FCS Families,

I am writing to provide a brief update on the work session that our Board of Education held this morning, focusing on transportation services and our near term fiscal health.

We have developed a plan that will continue to address needed improvements to our current level of transportation services. In the coming weeks we will enhance not only the data we have within our TransFinder software, but the GPS systems used to provide efficient routing and communications, as well. 

We are continuing to monitor our budget closely.  At this moment, we are seeing signs of the fiscal stability we have needed to move forward. Following today's work session, we will design a plan to elevate our transportation services within this school year. However, the design would hinge on our ability to re-route the entire school district in a timely and accurate fashion, and hire bus drivers quickly. If you or someone you know might be interested in a rewarding role as a bus driver, please find more information here!

We know that the reductions in transportation have impacted our entire community, and we are grateful to all who are supporting students getting to school. The possibility of elevating transportation is the first of many signs of a hopeful future for FCS.

Sincerely,
Andy Hatton
Superintendent

Dear Families,

As you know, the difficult decision was made to reduce transportation services for the 2025-2026 school year as part of the broad operational cuts following the November 2024 levy failure. High school busing was eliminated, and walk radiuses were expanded for grades K through 8, which has greatly impacted our entire community.

Bringing back some level of transportation services was identified in April as the district’s first priority once finances allowed. In May, the community approved a 1% earned income tax with 66% voter support, providing future budget stabilization and creating the possibility to enhance school bus services.

Beginning August 25th, district leadership began developing options to increase transportation services. Implementation of any plan during the current school year will depend on short-term financial forecasting, Board approval, and our ability to hire the necessary amount of bus drivers.

I want to acknowledge the routing and communication issues we have had at the beginning of this school year. As we have made a push to modernize our routing system (TransFinder) to maximize efficiency, safety, and communication, we realize it has caused frustration and confusion. We recognize the urgency of making progress and getting our current level of services right. 

Next steps include:

• Reviewing the district’s financial forecast with the Board and Treasurer to determine the timeline for increasing services.

• Developing cost models based on Board consensus for a transportation plan.

• Recruiting and onboarding new drivers. If you know anyone interested in joining our team, please pass along this link. 

We will continue to update families as decisions are finalized. Thank you for your patience, your support, and your partnership as we work to enhance these vital services for our students.

Sincerely,
Andy Hatton
Superintendent

FCS Families,

We appreciate your patience as we finalize student transportation for the upcoming school year. We hope to provide some clarity on the most common questions and concerns we've received.

Transportation Eligibility for 2025-2026

Students who live within a two-mile walk zone of their school are not eligible for bus transportation, and there is no high school transportation offered (outside of transportation due to an IEP requiring special transportation services). This information was shared in January and March, several times within the local media: newspaper, radio, and television. 

• You might still receive an invitation to the Stopfinder app even if your child isn't getting bus transportation. However, if your child is in the walk zone, the app will not show a bus stop or pickup times. Similarly, it is possible you will not receive a Stopfinder invite because you are within the walk zone.

• The two-mile distance is calculated using transportation software, which measures the walking path from the student's front door to the school's front door.

• Please note that even if your child received transportation in the past, they may no longer be eligible under the new walk-zone distances.

Special Requests and Situations

• Babysitters and Childcare: Please remember, transportation requests for alternate addresses like a babysitter or childcare provider are not guaranteed. These requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on bus capacity and availability, just as they have been in previous years.

• Transportation due to an IEP: Students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) specifies transportation will continue to receive these services. It's important that this service is clearly documented in your child's IEP, as it is a legally binding part of the plan. Please note: not all students with an IEP receive special transportation services. 

Next Steps

We are working as quickly as possible to adjust stop times and locations, and to fine-tune details for special circumstances. Our Transportation Department is running routes to find areas of concern and adjust. We are continuing to send out Stopfinder invitations and address every message that comes in.  The email invitation from Stopfinder will be automatically sent to the primary contact email address listed in Final Forms.  That account is then able to invite additional family members who need to view your child's bus information.

We appreciate your understanding, and are hopeful to provide increased transportation services as soon as we are able.

HAPPY JULY, TROJAN COUNTRY!

We know the start of school is more than a month away, and it feels like summer has just gotten started...but the beginning of July is when many exciting things start for the new school year!

→Back-to-School Forms
Back-to-school forms for the 25-26 school year are live! These forms are critical to authorization, safety, communication, transportation, technology, school meals, participation in student activities, and almost every part of making a school year happen!

If you have completed Final Forms in the past, your forms should be pre-populated, making it simple to verify and sign. However, there are a few updates this year!

→Transportation
In addition to some new items, Transportation Registration will be completed entirely within Final Forms.  Families requesting transportation must complete all forms in order to be routed.

As shared in the 9/16/24 and 1/13/2025 Board of Education meetings, the current 2025-2026 transportation plans for Findlay City Schools detail a two-mile walk zone for all students K-8, and no transportation for high school students.  Bus routes will be available in August on the district website. We will continue to communicate any updates.

Please complete the transportation forms if you desire transportation, even if you are currently in a walk zone or have a high schooler no longer receiving bussing due to these reductions. This will provide us the information we need to create new routes as quickly as we can for any possible transportation adjustments throughout the year.

Findlay City Schools Families,

Please see below for updates from last night’s Board of Education meeting.

2025-2026 School Start and End Times
The Board of Education approved school start and end times for the 2025-2026 school year. These adjusted times will accommodate cost-saving measures resulting from last November’s levy while allowing us to proactively plan for the 2025-2026 school.

Millstream and FHS will remain the same, with the exception of a one minute adjustment to Findlay High School’s dismissal time. Any potential FCS Preschool start/end time adjustments will be shared at a later date.

Likely Consequences of an Unsuccessful May 6 Levy
The Board also shared the likely consequences of an unsuccessful levy for a 1% earned income tax in May, which include the following reductions that would take effect in the 2026-2027 school year.

Phase II Likely Consequences
Should the Board continue to be unsuccessful in securing additional operating funding, as shared in September of 2024, a second round of likely cuts would need to be implemented in FY27. The likely cuts would be in addition to the cuts taking place in FY26: 

• • Reducing the administrative staff by up to an additional 4 positions 

  • Reduce the teaching staff up to another approximate 15-20 positions, further increasing class sizes

  • Shift to half day kindergarten, reducing kindergarten staff in half 

  • Further reductions to supplemental positions in athletics and the performing arts

  • Additional support staff reductions and safety/security reductions

  • Custodial and possibly maintenance staff reductions

  • Closing buildings at designated times to reduce utility costs

  • Limit or eliminate bussing to extracurricular activities

These likely reductions are subject to change based on retirements and resignations, changes to enrollment, changes to state or Federal funding, or other circumstances.

Should additional revenue not be added to the general fund to offset the impending deficit, a third phase of cuts will be necessary and articulated by the Board of Education at a later date. 

These reductions are in addition to the $6 million in reductions that the Board is currently making following November’s unsuccessful levy.  

We know these reductions would have a significant impact on students and families, and these are not decisions we take lightly. Findlay City Schools has not received new operating funds from the community in more than 20 years, and under Ohio law, school district property tax levies do not increase with inflation. Without additional funding, we must continue making difficult decisions.

Additional information about the May 6 levy and what it means for our schools is available on our website, including a recording of our Town Hall on district finances. We encourage you to review these resources and reach out with any questions. The next Town Hall is tentatively scheduled for April 9, 2025, at 6:00pm in Donnell's Cafetorium.

We recognize that this is an uncertain and challenging time. Our priority remains providing the best possible education for our students, and we are grateful for the continued support of our families. Thank you for staying engaged in these important conversations about the future of Findlay City Schools.

Dear Findlay Families,

Yesterday, the Findlay City Schools Board of Education made an announcement that impacts every student, staff member, and family in our district. Following the failed levy attempt in November, the Board voted to make $6 million in budget reductions to take effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

These reductions, while necessary to meet state financial requirements, will affect over 150 staff positions and every area of district operations, including teaching and learning, transportation, administration, and extracurriculars. This decision was made after careful deliberation and a deep understanding of the gravity of its impact on our schools and community.

In an effort to avoid further cuts in the future, the Board has also approved a resolution to place a 1% Earned Income Tax levy on the May 6, 2025, ballot. If approved, this levy would generate operational funding to prevent the next round of devastating cuts.

It’s important to continue to share this context: Findlay City Schools has not received new operating revenue since 2004. That’s over 20 years of operating with relatively the same funding, while costs have risen and needs have grown. The levy request represents a value choice our community must make together. We have two options: secure additional local funding for our schools or face the reality of more sweeping cuts for 2026-27 and beyond.

We know these conversations can be challenging, and emotions may run high. As we navigate this together, our focus remains on serving our students and being transparent with our families. We are committed to keeping you informed and ensuring you have every opportunity to engage in this critical decision for our schools and community.

Please stay connected with us in the coming months. Visit our website for updates, attend upcoming board meetings, and feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Together, we can work to build a brighter future for Findlay City Schools and the students we serve.

Thank you for your support, care, and partnership as we chart a path forward.

Findlay City Schools

Board of Education Statement | September 16, 2024
Findlay City Schools: Protecting Excellence
 

An exceptional school district is essential to the vibrancy of Findlay. It attracts new businesses, fosters economic growth, and upholds the high standards the city is known for. A strong education system is a key component of the community’s long-term prosperity. Findlay prides itself on being a place where families want to live, businesses want to invest, and children are provided with the best opportunities for success. The Findlay City School District has achieved a high standard of education that has been vital to families and the community’s continued growth and success.

Increasing FCS’s revenue is vital to ensuring that the excellence of Findlay City Schools continues to deliver educational quality for parents and drive the community forward.

Maintaining Excellence in Challenging Times: Findlay City Schools struggles to keep pace with growing expenses as inflation outpaces revenue growth. Like most school districts, Findlay City Schools receives mostly flat funding from the State of Ohio based on the most recent state budget from Ohio’s school funding model. This requires the District to rely on the community through voter-approved levies to help offset inflation and sustain operations.

Findlay City Schools has stretched local tax support for nearly twenty years, with the last operating levy passed in November 2004. This has led Findlay Schools to have one of the lowest current residential tax costs in the region. The new state funding formula indicates Findlay has a greater local ability to support a larger portion of the funds needed to educate our students than is currently being generated. The new state funding formula looks at a community’s ability to support local schools using both property and income tax and then determines state support to augment the local ability to generate funding. State funding will not be increased to compensate for lack of funding at the local level.

Full Transparency and Expert Consultation: To ensure the community receives accurate, objective, and verifiable information, the district has brought in a consultant with expertise in school finance sustainability. This consultant has been working with the team to clearly communicate the urgency and validity of the need for additional operating funding. By providing expert insights, the district is committed to transparency and accountability in demonstrating why this levy is critical and creating a tax policy.

The Need: Findlay City Schools needs to increase their operating income to sustain the current level of excellence and quality of education. The finance team, working with the Board and its finance expert, determined a 1.00% earned income tax will deliver an increase in revenue that will not only meet the current needs of the District but carry it forward for the foreseeable future.

The Critical Role of the 1.00% “Earned” Income Tax: The revenue generated by this levy is essential to sustaining the educational excellence that the community values. It supports programs, services, and rising operating costs, ensuring students continue to receive the high-quality education that is key to their success. It also supports the District’s long-term goal to become financially sustainable over longer periods of time, as well as providing tax relief to residents who are on fixed incomes, retired, or soon to be retired. An “earned” income tax is specifically designed to minimize the future cost of taxes to our community’s older residents.

Impact of Levy Failure: If the levy is not approved, a first phase of immediate reductions will need to be implemented, continuing into the 2025-26 school year. These cuts will negatively affect the district’s ability to maintain its current level of excellence in programs and opportunities, directly impacting students and families.

The Board of Education will have to enact the following likely consequences: 

Phase One: Initially Proposed Reductions (School Year 25-26):

• Reduce staff by 27 teaching positions, including Teachers on Special Assignments, using a combination of average salaries since the reductions will be in the future and by not replacing projected five retirees.                                  
• Reduce additional 12 staff by eliminating Middle School Block Teaching for Math and Language Arts                                       
• A minimum of five administrators will be reduced.
• Athletic supplementals and non-athletic supplementals will be reduced
• Cutting the purchased service expenditures related to the Leader in Me Program and reducing professional development.
• Reduce Kindergarten staff by returning to half day kindergarten
• No busing to high school and maximum amounts for walking
• Reduce 15 support staff positions

These likely reductions are subject to change based on retirements and resignations, changes to enrollment, or other circumstances.

Phase Two Proposed Reductions (School Year 26-27):

Should the Board continue to be unsuccessful in securing additional operating funding, a second round of likely cuts would need to be implemented in FY27, of an additional 4 million dollars. 

• Reduce the teaching staff up to additional 26 positions
• Reduce up to an additional 25 supplemental positions
• Reduce up to an additional 4 administrative positions
• Reduce security guards by up to 8 positions
• Close all buildings by 6:00 p.m. and end busing to all events
• Reduce support staff by up to 10 positions