Superintendent says Early Intervention programs would also cease
The superintendent of Lawrence County Developmental Disabilities says, if the funding levy for the agency fails to pass in November, the agency will be forced to close Open Door School Julie Monroe said there is “nothing left to cut” in the agency’s budget and they would not have the funding to operate the school, as well as their Early Intervention programs, serving preschool ages.
The 2.5 mill levy will appear on the general election ballot. And Monroe said they would have no choice but to make the cuts, should the levy fail.
She said the last time a funding levy failed, in 2019, the agency made numerous cuts and sold off assets. “It is very, very important,” she said of the need for passage. “We are now at the end of the road.”
Open Door School, located in Coal Grove, is a public school, serving those with developmental disabilities and has been operating since 1961.
The levy would account for $4 million in funding, and agency’s current operating budget is $9 million, Monroe said.
She said this would also impact future expenditures for LCDD.
Monroe said failure of the levy to pass would also impact programs LCDD has, which help to provide funding for those with developmental disabilities to live within the community.
If the levy fails, she said Open Door would close at the end of the 2025-26 school year, while Early Intervention programs would cease by Dec. 31 of this year.
“LCDD is required by law to provide funding for Medicaid waiver services,” Monroe said. “These services enable people with developmental disabilities to receive services in their homes and communities. Should the levy fail, all remaining resources would have to be directed to these services. All currently authorized waiver services would remain in place, but it is uncertain if additional services or new waivers would be approved in the future.”
Monroe said a town hall on the issue is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Upper Township fire department, located at 3402 State Route 141.
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