MONROE — Monroe Local Schools are creating two community committees to help it navigate its projected $4.5 million deficit, including one aimed at a fiscal-watch recovery plan.

The forming of the committees comes after the school board’s decision to table a resolution that asked the state auditor’s office to place Monroe Local Schools in fiscal emergency.

The committees are in response to the support expressed by residents at last Tuesday’s community meetings, as the district seeks to dig itself out of a projected $4.5 million deficit and stay away from a fiscal emergency.

The state auditor’s office placed the district in fiscal watch Feb. 2.

“The community in Monroe is extremely committed to the community,” Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli said. “They care about the community, children and schools, and just the outpouring of support last Tuesday indicates that this school will remain strong.”

The district will begin working with a community finance committee at its first meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in the high school media center. The purpose of the committee will be to provide support and guidance to district personnel.

The district has asked those who are interested to contact secretary Lauree Kaiser at (513) 539-2536.

“Their focus will immediately be trying to stay out of fiscal emergency,” Lolli said. “I would prefer that the district not go into fiscal emergency. It’s very difficult to pull out of it in a timely fashion.

“I’d prefer to come up with a community-based plan that will help us not move into emergency,” Lolli said. “I’m hopeful.”

The district has also scheduled a meeting for community members who are interested in helping with after-school classes in music and art; field trips; pay-to-participate issues; and other ideas to support students during next school year. That will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the high school cafeteria.

The meeting will begin as an entire group session, then small groups will be created to focus on people’s specific interests. Lolli said both groups will follow up with regularly-scheduled meetings.

“I’m hopeful we can still get everybody to understand the seriousness of where we’re at right now,” board President Brett Guido said.

“We’ve spent a lot of time talking about what got us here. While that is still in the works, we really need to focus on what we’re going to do from here on out.”

Monroe has announced $2.2 million in cuts for next school year, with most savings coming from the elimination of 19 staff positions.

Within 60 days of the fiscal-watch declaration, Monroe must submit a plan to eliminate the current deficit and avoid future ones.

If fiscal emergency is declared, the state will appoint a commission to oversee the district and adopt a financial recovery plan.

“We’re not quite ready to throw the towel in,” resident Brian Harrison said Monday night. “Give the members of the community who want to roll their sleeves up and jump in and help out with the recovery plan the opportunity to do that.”