BARBERTON, Ohio — The Barberton City School District is facing serious financial challenges after the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce placed the district in fiscal caution — the first level of state oversight for school districts showing signs of financial trouble.
Community concern grows
Ashley Romig, a Barberton resident and mother of seven who has lived in the community for about 13 years, says the district’s financial situation has become a frequent topic of conversation across town.
“Everywhere we’ve gone — from the coffee shops to the library to the local shops — like, people are talking about it,” Romig told 3News. “People are worried.”
District facing deficit spending
Barberton Schools Superintendent Jason Ondrus says the school system is spending more money than it is bringing in.
“We are currently deficit spending, and if you look at our last February forecast that we submitted, we’re looking at potentially running out of cash in September of ’26,” Ondrus warned…