The Huber Heights Board of Education on Wednesday approved a $6.4 million cost reduction plan that will eliminate 108 staff positions next school year if the May levy fails, but will spare athletics and extracurriculars by significantly increasing pay-to-participate fees.

The school board voted 4-1 to approve the cuts, with board member Carl Fisher voting against it.

Huber Heights, the fifth-largest district in the Dayton area with more than 6,000 students, faces the threat of state fiscal oversight because of a projected $2.7 million deficit by June 30, 2014. The budget cuts, combined with the levy, meet the Ohio Department of Education’s request to turn in a plan to effectively reduce costs and generate revenue.

Sports and other extracurriculars would not be cut even if an additional 9.95-mill operating levy is defeated in May. However, the high school’s JROTC program was eliminated because it’s considered instructional and fees can’t be charged.

Airman 1st Class Robert Mathewson, a sophomore dressed in his cadet uniform, told the board the JROTC program was like family and he begged them, “Please don’t break up this family.”

He and several other cadets were visibly upset afterward.

“I’m heartbroken for all these kids. I know what it’s meant to my son,” Robert’s mother, Stevie Mathewson, said.

Athletic fees that are now $225 will jump to $750 per student, per sport starting next fall, Superintendent Sue Gunnell said.

A three-tier system will remain in place with those participating in other extracurriculars such as band, cheerleading and clubs paying less fees. Those amounts have not yet been determined. Sports and extracurriculars would remain even if the levy is defeated in May, Gunnell said.

If it passes, Gunnell said they might be able to bring back up to $2.9 million worth of programs so those fees could be reduced.

Gunnell said the goal is to make extracurriculars and athletics, which now cost $771,500 from the general fund, a completely self-sufficient program.

But some questioned if that is possible.

Wayne High School football defensive coordinator Patrick Wood said after the meeting, “I don’t know how in this community people are going to afford $750 for kids to participate in sports.”

Parent Chris Jackson, whose eighth-grade son plays football and tenth-grade daughter is on drill team said his family would have to pay $1,500 to participate.

“I think it’s crazy,” he said.

The approved cuts include a 3 percent reduction in pay for administrators next school year — the first time the district has taken this step. Other cuts would include seven administrators/supervisors; 64 teachers, 29 clerical/paraprofessionals, 4.5 custodians/maintenance workers and four in transportation (plus a reduction of hours.)

The district filed the cost reduction plan with the state on Dec. 28, meeting a year-end deadline although the school board had tabled its vote on Dec. 20.

The school board decided in December to place the levy on the May ballot that would generate $6.7 million in additional revenue over a continuous period. An 8-mill levy was defeated in November.

Gunnell has said the larger levy will present a challenge in the community where voters have defeated three straight requests for new operating funds. District voters haven’t approved new operating dollars since 2005.

Board member Mark Combs said without the cuts, the district faced being tagged in fiscal caution by the state and that is something they couldn’t risk.

Board member Joseph Ellis likened fiscal caution to having to declare bankruptcy.

“It’s that simple,” he said. “We are at that point now and that’s what really hurts.”