State advances $514,000 to Brookfield schools

By Marc Kovac | May 20, 2014 at 12:05a.m.

COLUMBUS

The state Controlling Board agreed to advance $514,000 to help a Trumbull County school district in fiscal distress pay its bills.

Brookfield Local Schools were placed under a fiscal emergency by the state auditor a year ago, and the district needs the funds to remain solvent.

The money comes from the state’s school district solvency assistance fund, which is tapped when districts are unable to meet their financial obligations.

Brookfield was placed under a fiscal watch in 2006 and was declared to be in a state of fiscal emergency after its board formally stated its “inability to adopt a recovery plan that eliminates the projected current year deficit,” according to documents.

The district adopted a resolution last month requesting the solvency assistance.

The funds approved by lawmakers Monday will be repaid by the district in coming fiscal years.

School Board President Gwen Martino referred questions to Superintendent Tim Saxton, who did not return calls Monday night seeking comment.