MARTINS FERRY — Growing frustration over planned staffing cuts by the Martins Ferry Board of Education led resident Kimie Markus to create a petition.

In December, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce notified the Martins Ferry Board of Education that the district would be required to prepare and implement a financial recovery plan to correct its low fund balance and to eliminate a projected deficit of over $2.4 million in Fiscal Year 2027.

The district identified approximately $2.1 million in cost savings for FY26, the majority of which will come from a reduction in force at all levels of the district, resulting in the suspension of 14% of the workforce. However, reducing expenses by staffing reductions alone will not solve the district’s financial problems.

Markus created a petition on March 7 to notify the board that district residents want members to reevaluate their decision to make the cuts.

“We understand the need for financial decisions. However, we believe alternative solutions exist that do not rob our children of their right to the best education. This is a call to all the families in the Martins Ferry school district, let’s stand together, let’s fight these proposed cuts. Please sign this petition to make your voice heard,” the Change.Org petition states.

The petition had garnered 265 signatures by late Friday from residents who believe there is a better way for the district to save money.

Paul Matuska, president of the Martins Ferry Education Association union that represents the teaching staff, disagrees. Matuska said although he wants a solution without cuts being made, he is pessimistic of that being possible.

He added that from everything that he’s seen, the district will not be able to afford to proceed without the cutbacks.

“The very worst thing that could happen would be for us to get in a state of fiscal emergency where the state comes in,” Matuska said.

He added that he understands residents’ frustration and their decision to sign the petition, but he believes those who are signing the petition don’t fully understand the complexity of the matter.

Markus said the disconnect comes from a lack of transparency regarding all aspects of the matter.

Martins Ferry Superintendent Jim Fogle said that although the financial reduction plan was submitted to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce on Feb. 24 and approved on Feb. 27, he believes it is too soon to provide the public any information regarding the plan.

Martins Ferry Board of Education President James Agnew echoed Fogle’s remarks, saying that the board is working out the details right now and he believes it would be premature for him to speak on the matter.

“We do have a plan, but until the board acts upon it, it’s not official. So we’ll have to wait until that takes place,” Fogle said.

He added that he believes the public will be made aware of the plan’s details by the end of March.

Martins Ferry resident Nikki Deuel recently took to social media to post a list of various positions she said would be cut in the 2025-26 school year. Deuel’s post went viral throughout the Ohio Valley, receiving a plethora of shares and comments. She said she received the list from a district employee.

On Tuesday, though, Matuska said the list that he’s seen is not accurate or in line with the conversations he’s been engaging in with the board of education.

Matuska added that although he doesn’t believe Deuel’s list is accurate, he doesn’t believe it is his position to relay the information regarding what the cuts will be until the plan is made official.

It is unclear when the announcement of specific cuts will be made.

Markus said she believes that if either Fogle or Matuska were to release a statement refuting the list that is circulating on social media, it would go a long way toward a better understanding for staff, students and parents of the Martins Ferry City School District.

A call to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce on Friday did not result in any additional information about the situation in Martins Ferry being obtained.