FIVE-YEAR FORECAST … North Central Schools treasurer, Eric Smeltzer, gave his five-year forecast to the School Board at the October 20, 2022 board meeting. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
As a part of the October 20, 2022 North Central School Board meeting, Treasurer Eric Smeltzer shared his 5-year forecast with the Board.
A copy of the complete forecast can be picked up at the school office or seen online, but the notes and assumptions included:
- The district passed a 6.2 mill continuing substitute levy in November 2018 which generates approximately $716,000 per year. Slight increases may be realized due to new construction.
- Revenue from the Tangible Personal Property Tax has been completely phased out.
- The district does not currently have an income tax in place.
- Projections for “Unrestricted State Grants in Aid” are based on data provided by the Ohio Department of Education calculations. Schools no longer gets open enrollment adjustments. This line in the budget totally depends on any possible increases or decreases determined by the state budget.
- For “Restricted State Grants in Aid” the major funding pieces are student wellness and success funds and career tech funds.
- Projections for “Property Tax Allocation” are based largely on historical collections. This includes homestead and rollback revenues. Smeltzer said he used the average change of a 3.5% increase in that line.
- Existing tax abatements are decreasing during their final years, with some expireing during this forecasting period. Some current abatements have been extended as well as some new ones beginning in the near future. He used a 5% increase for that line.
- A 6% increase in “Personnel Services” for Fiscal Year (FY) 23 through FY27 has been used to cover any salary increases as well as steps. Slight increases or decreases in this expenditure line may be realized due to realignment of grant funds and retirement.
- For “Employee Retirement and Insurance Benefits” FY 23 through FY27 he used a 5% increase for retirement and fringe benefits. He said that he hopes this will be close to what is realized.
- Open enrollment has heavily impacted the “Purchased Services” expense category in the past, but open enrollment adjustments are being done away with so this line has been adjusted for that change. Other items that heavily impact it are utilities and handicapped instruction services. A 1% increase was used for future years.
- The district has been spending rather conservatively in the area of “Supplies and Materials” and is expected to continue to strive to keep costs down.
- With creation of the Permanent Improvement Fund, it is not anticipated that very many if any expenditures will occure in “Capital Outlay” once the COPS payments for the new building are paid off.
- Concerning a line marked “Other Objects” Smeltzer said that OSBA dues, district liability insurance, bonds, audit costs, and county treasurer and auditor fees are included. The average 4.2% increase was used for estimating the future years’ costs.
- In the rest of his report, which was all approved by the board, Smeltzer shared:
- Minutes from September meeting
- Financial statements and investments from September
- Acceptance of a donation of $150 from Nickloy’s Fix and Fab towards the Backpack program; and a donation of an Apple iPad with case from Family and Children First Council, valued at $438, which will be used in the elementary department
- OSBA (Ohio School Boards Association) Capital Conference and Trade Show in Columbus Ohio will be held this year on November 13-15 and he has their accommodations secured
- A Resolution to approve the final reconciliation of the North Central Local School Districts Project Construction Fund (10) with the Ohio School Facilities Construction Commission that has been completed.
In the superintendent’s report, Mr. Michael Bute, expressed his thanks for the donations, and for all the hard work as they wrap up the first grading period.
He said that the sound system in the auditeria is being worked on and the new big school sign would be set up on the 26th.
Culture meetings are continuing as he has met with the bus and custodial departments and is scheduled to continue with the board before their November meeting.
The teachers had a Professional Development Day scheduled for October 21 and the next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditeria.
Principal and athletic director reports were not given that evening as all three were elsewhere supporting the students in sports.
The board voted to approve the second reading of NEOLA policy revisions and for the FFA students to travel to and attend the National FFA Convention which was scheduled for October 25-29.
With no further business the meeting adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com