PHOTO BY AMY WENDT / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FINANCIAL FORECAST … Treasurer Chris Lee walks the Pettisville Board of Education through the district’s Financial Forecast during the Board’s regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 10.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
On Monday, August 10, the Pettisville Board of Education met in the school’s conference room for its regular monthly meeting, with members Brent Hoylman, Justin Rufenacht, Barry Hoylman, Scott Rupp, and Pam Skates in attendance. Treasurer Chris Lee, Superintendent Josh Clark, Elementary Principal Jason Waldvogel, and Junior High/High School Principal Adam Wagner were also seated at the table to present their updates to the Board.
TREASURER’S REPORT AND FINANCIAL FORECAST
The district saw the largest quarterly income tax settlement in its history of $334,500, which is $53,570 or 19 percent over the same period last year, according to Treasurer Chris Lee.
A $353,402 property tax advance was also received in July, and Lee noted that it too was higher than usual, largely due to the receipt of the Rover Pipeline 2019 tax year settlement.
Lee explained that Rover initially paid its 2018 tax bill in full based on the valuation at the time; however, it disputed the assessment for tax year 2019 and subsequently made reduced, or “tender,” payments while the matter was tied up in litigation.
In August 2025, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld the state’s taxable valuation for the Ohio portion of the pipeline for year 2019, leaving Rover responsible for the difference between the amount it had tendered and the remaining taxes due based on the upheld value. Years beyond 2019 have not yet been settled.
The treasurer then presented the Board with the FY2027 Financial Forecast. Lee began by pointing out that the new August deadline imposed by the state for submitting the report is problematic due to insufficient information available at that time of year regarding property tax settlements, state aid values, and potential insurance premium increases.
“This new August deadline – it kind of stinks because, like, we just don’t have enough information to put in a quality forecast at this point in the year,” Lee began.
“Obviously, I’ll know more about property taxes and what the effects of the reform bills are later this month. As we move further into the year, we’ll have a better idea of what our state aid actually looks like.
“And also, one of the biggest things with the forecast on the expenditure side is our insurance premiums for the next year. I won’t have that information probably until October,” the treasurer explained.
Lee added that over the years, the deadlines for the financial forecast have shifted significantly. Initially due in August and May, the submission dates were changed to October and May, then to November and May, and now the forecasts are due to the state in August and February.
“So, what I’m about to show you, I would love to tell you I have a lot of confidence in, but I don’t.
“And the numbers are going to look a little bit alarming, but as always, I project very conservatively, kind of the worst-case scenario, and this one does not look good,” Lee continued.
Looking at the actual forecast, Lee pointed out that in 2026 the district saw deficit spending in part due to more capital expenditures than usual, including updates to the south fields and library as a part of the Unity Project.
He also noted that necessary advances and transfers at the end of the fiscal year to support other funds were another contributing factor.
Lee projects that the district will end the current year with deficit spending of $683,000, leaving the cash balance around $1.5 million. “And so some of that money, we will be getting back.
“But we did deficit spend the last two years, and I’m looking forward at continuing to deficit spend and dip into our cash reserves going forward. You might remember that we at one point had cash reserves of three and a half million dollars.
“That’s the reason why we built that up for rainy days like this. And so, alarming a little bit, but also we had planned for such a time as this.”
According to Lee, revenue projections are uncertain, particularly property taxes and state aid. A modest increase was projected in income tax receipts while other revenue projection categories were carried forward based on historical data.
Looking at expenditures, salaries are known due to negotiated contracts; however, health insurance rates are also uncertain at this time.
Despite anticipated overall deficit spending by year-end, Lee pointed out that the shortfall should not trigger an alarm with the state.
“This number is also in black,” Lee said. “That’s a good thing. So, right now there’s nothing that’s going to alarm the department (Ohio Department of Education and Workforce) on this forecast, but we do need to keep monitoring revenues and expenditures going forward.”
According to the treasurer, the upcoming legislative budget cycle is a crucial component when determining the district’s school funding received by the state going forward. The future of property tax revenue adds to the uncertainty.
“If this property tax elimination referendum gets on the ballot, the whole thing gets – the whole thing turns upside down, and I don’t know what the answer is.”
Superintendent Clark noted that three years ago, the board reviewed a very favorable financial forecast as the previous budget cycle’s revenue projections were optimistic, suggesting no need for an operating levy.
However, the next budget cycle will determine if that projection holds true.
“A lot has happened at the state levels since then,” Clark explained. “Our funding formulas are frozen. We are operating on a fair school funding model that finally got pushed through.
“We were excited about (it), and that’s been essentially wiped away, back to ground zero.”
The treasurer said that as more data becomes available later this fall, he will refine the forecast and submit a more accurate revision to the school board and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW). Upon the conclusion of the Treasurer’s report, the Board voted to submit the FY2027 Financial Forecast to ODEW.
ROUTINE & PERSONNEL ITEMS
Addressing routine items, the Board approved minutes from its July 2026 meeting, accepted the financial reports as presented by the treasurer, and authorized the payment of bills.
In personnel matters, AD Mendoza was assigned to the role of Seventh Grade Class Advisor, Ryan Wyse was approved to serve as the Junior High Soccer Coach, and the Board accepted the resignation of Transportation Aide Paula King.
The Board approved an increase in breakfast prices from $1.50 per meal to $1.75 for the new school year, while lunch will remain the same at $2.65 for Kindergarten through sixth grade students and $2.80 for grades seven through 12. Superintendent Clark pointed out that the prices are in line with other school districts in the area.
Pettisville students will begin the new school year on a staggered start schedule with grades 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9 reporting on Wednesday, August 19, and grades 2, 4, 6, 10, 11 and 12 starting on Thursday, August 20.
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
Jason Waldvogel, Elementary Principal, reported that preparations are underway for the students’ arrival and that teachers will be taking part in math curriculum training.
He also shared that Elementary Counselor Shannon Saffell has been working on a program to teach students various life skills.
The Junior High/High School is gearing up for the school year as well, according to principal Adam Wagner.
Seven new students will be joining the district, and “two or three” additional students have been approved for open enrollment; however, they have not yet confirmed their attendance.
On Saturday, August 22, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the class of 2030 will host a “Blackbird Fest” in the South Lot.
The event, which is open to the community, will feature concessions, a bake sale, inflatables, games, putt-putt, and wiffle ball and kickball tournaments, with all proceeds benefiting the class account. In the event of rain, the event will be held on August 29.
The next Pettisville Board of Education meeting is slated for Monday, September 14 at 7 p.m.