Financial picture brighter for Weathersfield schools

May 16, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

MINERAL RIDGE

Weathersfield schools’ financial picture continues to improve, as district Treasurer Laurena Rouan says she expects an increase from $64,000 to $136,992 in revenue by the end of the 2014 fiscal year June 30.

The district has brought spending down to the 2007 level, while at the same time winning state honors of Excellent with Distinction based upon Ohio standardized testing, Rouan said.

The district received a slight increase in state funding, she told the board of education Wednesday.

In 2014, there was a $149,000 increase.

Year-end excess revenues are expected to include: $136,992 in 2014; $161,393 in 2015; $35,685 in 2016; $202,843 in 2017 and $217,184 in 2018.

Rouan noted the district has buildings under construction this year, and in the fall will have two buildings instead of three with the elimination of a 100-plus-year-old building — the middle school on state Route 46.

The $25.4 million project includes a $9 million bond issue, which is the district’s 28 percent share of the project. The local share also includes a $1.4 million junior-high gymnasium built at the high school, where junior-high students will now attend classes in their own special section of the building.

Schools Superintendent Damon Dohar said the work at Seaborn Elementary will replace 70 to 75 percent of the building, and when students are out of school, work at the high school will be ramped up.

The superintendent noted that the projects are “under budget” so far.