Toledo Public Schools Board Votes to Lay Off 32 Employees

Cuts come amid $68 million in projected funding reductions, enrollment declines

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:23pm

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The Toledo Public Schools Board of Education voted to lay off 32 employees, including 12 members of the Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel and 20 Toledo Federation of Teachers members who were nurses and social workers, not classroom teachers. The cuts are part of the district's efforts to address a $68 million deficit due to reductions in state and federal funding, as well as enrollment declines.

Why it matters

The layoffs are a difficult but necessary step for the Toledo Public Schools as they grapple with significant budget shortfalls. The cuts will impact essential support staff like nurses and social workers, raising concerns about the level of one-on-one care available for students. The situation highlights the broader challenges facing public school districts dealing with funding pressures and enrollment declines.

The details

Following a two-hour executive session, the school board voted to lay off the 32 employees. The teachers' union members who were let go were nurses and social workers, not classroom teachers. The cuts are part of the district's plan to address a $68 million deficit, which includes $18 million in planned reductions from a 2024 levy, $13 million in negotiated salary and health benefit costs, and $12 million in additional cuts for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Enrollment declines have also led to a reduction in Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid funding, resulting in a $3 million loss for fiscal year 2026 and $7 million for 2027.

  • The Toledo Public Schools Board of Education voted to lay off the 32 employees during its Tuesday board meeting on January 27, 2026.
  • In December 2025, the district announced it would have to cut 115 positions.

The players

Toledo Public Schools Board of Education

The governing body of the Toledo Public Schools district, responsible for making decisions about the district's budget and operations.

Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel (TAAP)

The union representing administrative personnel in the Toledo Public Schools district.

Toledo Federation of Teachers

The union representing teachers in the Toledo Public Schools district.

Chris Varwig

The president of the Toledo Public Schools Board of Education.

Emilio Ramirez

The president of the Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel (TAAP).

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What they’re saying

“These are 32 people who are no longer working for the district. This was a very difficult decision for me. This was hard and it is just the beginning of difficult decisions that have to be made.”

— Chris Varwig, School Board President

“These were people who did not plan on retiring. They retired in order to save another member from being laid off. The district knew about the $13 million and $18 million deficits but said nothing. I did not hear about it until October. We would have worked with the district like we had done before in 2008 and 2009. This has been a blow and a shock. I have 12 TAAP members out on the street now.”

— Emilio Ramirez, President, Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel (TAAP)

“I am also accountable and am not going to throw anyone under the bus. You elected us and we are accountable as is the administration. Public schools are under attack. This is much bigger than this district.”

— Sheena Barnes, School Board Member

“Let's be clear and transparent. You hold us accountable. Employees, parents, and students are being affected, but this is the reality we are facing.”

— Randall Parker III, School Board Vice President

What’s next

The Toledo Public Schools district will be holding a series of community meetings in February and March to discuss the looming budget cuts and the district's transformation plan.

The takeaway

The layoffs at Toledo Public Schools highlight the difficult financial challenges facing many public school districts, as they grapple with declining enrollment, reduced funding, and the need to make tough decisions to balance their budgets. The situation underscores the importance of community engagement and transparency as districts work to navigate these complex issues.