The Carlisle Local School Board of Education discussed options for making approximately $400,000 in cuts at a special meeting on Saturday morning.

Board vice president Bryan Dunkman said no decisions have been made, but he expects that some could be made as soon as the next board meeting on Dec. 17.

“We talked about different possibilities,” Dunkman said. “We’re not in fiscal emergency yet, but the overall financial situation is pretty extreme.

“It is severe and we will do everything we can to avoid having the state come in and take us over,” he continued. “Everything that is not state mandated is on the table as far as cuts go.”

Last year, the district cut 10 teaching positions, Dunkman said.

“It is a difficult situation, but we have to look at how certain cuts will effect us in terms of moving forward and getting back on track until we can get another chance to go back to the community,” board president Bill Jewell said of a possible levy in May. “I think we as a board really need to get out and talk to the community to help them understand our situation.

“We’re hopeful because the vote was closer this time,” he continued. “What people have to realize is that when we make cuts, other people lose their jobs and there will be more kids in classes. Eventually, it hurts everybody.”

Carlisle’s five-year, 4.9-mill emergency operating levy was narrowly rejected in the Nov. 6 general election. The levy would have generated $800,000 a year.

Since 2008, Dunkman said about $2.4 million has been cut from the district’s budget.

He also said Roger Hardin, an assistant director of finance programs services with the Ohio Department of Education, is scheduled to meet with school officials on Wednesday. Hardin previously worked with the Little Miami School District and is currently working with the Monroe School District.

“We have the best interest of the kids at heart and we are going to do whatever has the least effect on the kids and education,” Dunkman said.

Carlisle Schools has earned an Excellent rating on the state report card for the last two years, a first for the district.

“That is a testament to the teachers and they should be commended for doing more with less,” Dunkman said.