The Barberton School District has decided to lay off four bus drivers following changes made to its transportation policy.

Superintendent Patricia Cleary says the cuts were made after voters turned down a request for a new levy in August.

"We decided to cut back our busing to the state minimum of two miles," said Cleary. "That saves the district about $300,000."

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade who live more than two miles from their schools will get busing, but other students will have to find their own transportation. The busing policy changed from the previous minimum of a one mile distance to two miles.

The district has also approved a play-to-play policy for sports and extra curricular activities.

Superintendent Patricia Cleary says the school levy will be back on the ballot in November.

"If we do pass in November, we will have the abililty to bring the busing back to the one mile (policy) that we have always done in the past and we will look at doing away with the pay to participate."

If the levy fails, cleary says the district will face another round of cuts which will include eliminating arts and music programs and cutting back elementary school days to the state minimum of five hours.

On the web: www.barbertonschools.org