Trumbull County school district projects $3 million deficit
BY JORDAN COHEN
news@vindy.com
VIENNA—A financial forecast compiled by the treasurer of the Mathews Local School District projects a $3 million deficit by the end of the 2013-2014 school year.
“We’re spending more money than we’re bringing in, and that’s the biggest problem,” said Lee Seiple, Mathews schools superintendent. “But I am surprised that we’re projecting that much in five years.”
The forecast by Teri Andrika, district treasurer, projects no deficit for the current and 2011-2012 school years, but the district moves into red ink after that. Andrika estimates deficits at $78,000 in 2012, $1.2 million in 2013 and $3 million in 2014, deficits that Seiple says the district cannot sustain.
Asked if the district may have to go back to the voters for more money, the superintendent said the subject is likely to come up during a special board work session on June 8 to discuss the financial forecast.
Earlier this month, Mathews voters approved a 7.8 mill-reduction and replacement levy that will generate $1.1 million. “I don’t know what we would have done if the levy hadn’t passed,” Andrika said.
Seiple said that one of the reasons there is no deficit this year and next is that nine teachers and classified workers have retired, another teacher has resigned and the board is not filling their positions.
Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.