Weathersfield schools steer clear of deficit — for now
By Mary Smith
MINERAL RIDGE
The Weathersfield Local School District continues to hold back the tide on a deficit, which is not projected to hit the district until fiscal year 2015.
District Treasurer Laurena Rouhan told the board Wednesday night that, based on current funding projections, the district will stay in the black at the end of the next three fiscal years, but will end 2015 with a negative balance of $366,342. Those numbers depend on renewal in 2014 of the district’s 4-mill, five-year emergency levy, to generate $538,000 a year.
Cash balances for the next four fiscal years will be: 2011,$1.382 million; 2012, $1.138 million; 2013, $549,913; 2014, $187,312; and 2015, negative $366,342.
Rouhan told the board that expenditures have exceeded the district’s revenues for five years, “But we have been pushing back and pushing back.”
Personal-property tax is now totally cut as a source of revenue for the district, except for what comes from public utilities.
“The effects of the state of Ohio decision to eliminate personal tangible property tax will haunt [the] Weathersfield Local School District,” Rouhan said.
The district learned in October 2002 it would lose $621,000 annually in personal-property tax from RMI Titanium, as well as other sources, causing a cut to state minimums and eliminating busing until a levy was passed.
Rouhan also noted that the state foundation revenues for fiscal years 2012 to 2015 are expected to be at the same level as 2011. If, however, the state decreases funding for schools in 2012 and 2013, and that level continues to 2015, “The decrease will have a material effect on this forecast,” she said.
The district has not replaced all retiring teachers and has moved to using in-house staff for special- education services instead of hiring through the county. It has also named a school psychologist, who is shared with McDonald schools, instead of hiring through the county, to save funds.
Rouhan noted that health- benefit premiums are expected to increase 5 percent in April as a result of the federal Health Reform Act.
But, she added, the district continues to look for ways to reduce costs, and is also on path to eliminate one of three school buildings to that end. While the State Facilities Commission has approved Weathersfield for a school facilities grant, local voters have not yet passed a bond issue in two tries. She said the board will likely go back to voters for a bond issue, which plans a new K-8 building addition and demolition of the middle School.
In another matter, resident Del Ryder of Watson-Marshall Road presented a proposal to the board to create a Hall of Fame program that includes not only athletes, but coaches and residents who have made outstanding accomplishments.