(PHOTOS BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
TROUBLE AHEAD, TROUBLE BEHIND … A pair of graphics from the five-year projections for the Swanton Local School District show declining cash balances and continued deficit spending as a result of expenditures being projected to continue growing faster than revenues over the next several years.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Swanton Local School District Treasurer/CFO Sheila Horseman gave the district’s board of education a look at the updated five-year forecast during its meeting Wednesday evening.
The forecast showed deficit spending – already ongoing in fiscal year 2024 – continuing to deepen, with a $158,878 shortfall in fiscal year 2025 growing to $641,834 by fiscal year 2029. It also showed the district’s ending balance cutting in half from $3,450,427 to $1,792,456 over the same period of time.
The growing shortfall is being driven by an expectation of total expenses rising by 3 percent while revenues are only expected to grow by 2.5 percent.
Another demonstration of the change in cash on hand was provided through “days cash on hand at fiscal year-end,” or the number of days the school could be operated with the cash on hand based on the total costs for the year averaged out across the full 365 days of a calendar year. In 2024 that number was 82. By the end of fiscal year 2029, that number is projected to be 35.
The forecast also broke down the sources of the district’s revenue and expenditures. According to the report, 59 percent of its revenue comes from local taxes, 36 percent from state sources, and 5 percent from other sources.
Of the expenditures, 72 percent go to personnel costs – salaries and benefits, with 18 percent going to purchased services and 10 percent to all other expenditures, including such items as supplies, capital projects, and debt service.
All the projections in the forecast are based on current circumstances and expectations, which could change depending on any number of factors.
UNION AGREEMENT
The board approved a tentative agreement with the Swanton Education Association teachers’ union for a new contract.
Included in the contract are 4 percent salary increases and a $700 stipend in each of the next three school years, with the base salary rising to $39,916, $41,513, and $43,174 in each respective year. Insurance premiums will be set at 12 percent next school year, going up to 13 percent the following year and 14 the next.
Among a variety of other changes, the agreement increases the number of sick days that can be used for severance pay from 240 to 250, adds cousins to the extended family definition, and adds an attendance incentive.
OTHER BUSINESS
The board voted to select Rupp Rosebrock Inc. as the construction contractor for the baseball/softball complex at a cost of $1,752,000 with substantial completion by December 19.
According to the agreement, additional work can be added by the school district after execution of the agreement, including bathrooms for $30,495, “concession finishes” for $17,900, a softball observation platform for $191,000, concrete flatwork for $78,400, bleachers for $37,750, and an irrigation system for $46,200.
The board approved its annual agreement with A&G Educational Services to operate the district’s special education “Leap Program” at a cost of $273,000, which covers participation of 10 students.
The board approved an agreement with Dr. Brandon Wood to administer and analyze mental health screenings of students in grades 7 through 12 for the next two school years at a total cost of $16,000.
The board approved a contract with Fitness4All, a professional strength and conditioning training company, to work with all the district’s athletic teams, providing weight training, flexibility, and diet programs for all athletes for three years at an annual cost of $24,000.
Much of the cost is being covered by the elimination of now unneeded supplementals for other staff which were providing what would now be duplicative services, as well as a $10,000 per year donation from boosters.
The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Fulton County Health Department to allow Fisher Gym to be used as a point of distribution in the event of a large-scale emergency.
The board accepted combined donations of $1,345 for quiz bowl, $4,150 for Adulthood Day, $1,800 for track, $1,500 for Swanton 7, and $2,700 for an athletics media backdrop.
The board authorized the district to participate in the Ohio Schools Council school bus bid program to obtain optimum pricing on the planned purchase of a new diesel school bus.
The board approved an agreement for Julian & Grube Inc. to complete the July 2025 through June 2026 and July 2026 through June 2027 MSP Cost Reports. Although work will not begin until the end of the fiscal year, the agreement locks in the rates.
The board approved a variety of personnel changes, including acceptance of the resignations of high school math teacher Chase Miller effective May 30 and middle school counselor Keirstin Vaughn effective July 31.
The board approved a girls’ volleyball team overnight trip to team camp at Hillsdale College from July 10 through 12.
The next regular meeting of the Swanton Local School District Board of Education is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11 at 108 N. Main Street.