Treasurer lowers revenue estimate

STAFF REPORT

STRUTHERS — The school district’s treasurer says he has revised the district’s estimated 2010 revenues downward by $600,000.

Dr, Michael Evanson told the school board at its meeting Tuesday that the Mahoning County auditor’s office said the estimate was too high.

Total estimated revenues now stand at $16,474,688.

Evanson said the reduction is because of the potential for uncollected real-estate taxes.

“They said my estimate was too aggressive, and I should temper it,” Evanson said after the meeting.

“Because of things beyond our control: delinquencies, foreclosures, the overall state of the economy,” he said.

He said the district’s excess cash reserve for this year, previously more than $2 million, now will be smaller.

Board members expressed concern, asking him if the revision foretells a significant problem for the district.

Evanson said the projection could represent a loss of $3 million over the next five years.

He suggested that the district keep in mind some contingency plans, such as exploring opportunities for staff reductions through attrition.

In other business, the board approved a new pre-kindergarten summer-intervention program. The district will fund the four-week program with $4,500 from United Way.

Superintendent Robert Rostan said the program will be offered at the elementary school in August as a way to introduce new kindergartners to school.