[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6595421,"mediaKeyId","3032669-301fe15a7835d96de1358497dfa43a81","parentId",3032669,"title","Treasurer reports $40M cash balance as board discusses forecast, enrollment declines and potential levy timing","audioSeconds",3777,"startMs",3479000,"endMs",7256000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032669-301fe15a7835d96de1358497dfa43a81&start=3479&end=7256","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032669-301fe15a7835d96de1358497dfa43a81/thumbnail_3479000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595421/Ohio/Treasurer-reports-40M-cash-balance-as-board-discusses-forecast-enrollment-declines-and-potential-levy-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595421-4ac6ebba0665464a3d74bfca136fd9aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017449&Signature=SwxTVCS9ASn0euIhmAjZM6dwMh9OgNWx7BvaeTNgIgsuDfi1Jbj8hr5yYBYFTyzRe6NrmQUcfVSV~Ilqx-oEXJBWxvhcyJUlRjpLEVxVWJ67flV59s2AgjxjVb7p6ip1eYLBbA6yTvSq0Zmnyl0AoQz6LqPfNMPfE3KI3QZJtxxu9WzTQL734g0zrpF8zzMuTCB1NNXhKaJEcNtf9mocXRe9KvG97hri76jB1aNJtoIj2I4edFT3OTa-4z~zmxEvBwlSWwDvIaVBb5PCrEuS5DnjUs-su-T5RVhe9qgzzLZGWRLxUisRaUUB1YX7Vd6ZCQ4jvu1HYPCVIeF5dnzIOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Hills Public Schools","date","2025-04-17T02:17:39.883Z","article","The Forest Hills School District treasurer told the board on April 16 that the district’s March 31 cash balance stood at about $40 million and its unreserved balance at approximately $35.2 million, and warned the board that cash reserves typically decline as the fiscal year ends.

Treasurer Alana Cropper summarized revenues and cashflow: donations in the month totaled more than $22,000, bringing year‑to‑date donations to about $471,000. The district received approximately $1 million in real estate advances in March, bringing total spring collection advances to roughly $30.5 million, she said. Cropper also reported that, with 75% of the fiscal year complete, the district had spent 72% of appropriations and therefore was tracking close to plan.

Why it matters: Board members and members of the public connected the treasurer’s figures to longer‑term budget pressure from declining enrollment, rising salary and benefit costs, and uncertainty in state aid. Those dynamics shape whether and when the district will need future levies.

Board discussion and public comment
Board members and speakers in public comment described falling enrollment and rising personnel costs as central fiscal challenges. Resident Kevin Michak presented district enrollment figures and said the district lost roughly 800 students over the past decade (about an 11% drop) and faces additional projected losses over the next five years. Another resident, Ken (last name redacted), asked the board to include an attrition plan with May’s forecast that would align personnel reductions when positions are not replaced.

Cropper described the district’s cash‑flow profile and noted that March is typically a high point in the district’s cash flow because of collections; she cautioned that the cash balance is expected to be spent down between March and June. “We have enough cash to operate the district for 145 days and enough of unreserved cash to operate the district for 127 days,” Cropper said.

Consent agenda and next steps
The board approved the consent agenda that included the treasurer’s report (items 9.1 through 13.1J) by roll‑call vote. The administration plans to update the five‑year forecast in May and to continue reporting to the board about enrollment, staffing and levy timing as the state budget process and local projections evolve.

Ending note
Board members said they will pursue more detailed enrollment and staffing analyses and consider community engagement and exit‑interview data to better understand why some families leave the district.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/16/25 Forest Hills School District School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Forest Hills School District treasurer told the board on April 16 that the district’s March 31 cash balance stood at about $40 million and its unreserved balance at approximately $35.2 million, and that the administration will update the five‑year forecast in May as enrollment and cost pressures continue.","taxTitle","Forest Hills Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",38578,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6595427,"Forest Hills board adopts resolution backing Fair School Funding plan, approves written testimony to state lawmakers",7219,4047000,11266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032669-301fe15a7835d96de1358497dfa43a81&start=4047&end=11266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032669-301fe15a7835d96de1358497dfa43a81/thumbnail_4047000.jpg","/articles/6595427/Ohio/Forest-Hills-board-adopts-resolution-backing-Fair-School-Funding-plan-approves-written-testimony-to-state-lawmakers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595427-8e51f80697cd846cab357322321b6d42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017449&Signature=DTUyU~UCuZEYFhmlhwXl4uNxQ4gsxb7Rnvy4OA7QpzobJZug3cjMR6tJ5rhCGrSlq9rXqgBAx9fpJspxB2yhx9VjPeMKOtJhq7klRV6kEiJWNvhkoBVUzGfSEzp~7fDJEtpmum-jMOkeyOlN5xM5vlYgpijz2iStboncXhnTLe0dO2z98u21kLBYJNbeTXRZszBgA1WTLNdrE0AUcWlM1EV-vn0bUjwYYNL~QNuMd3hCq2QHfBFBg853~Bw~1oPl9Og430Uo~3X3xvSDLU04WZv~Fqx7P~AUEQHZjsoFgijVXqSQBYXXfArQUtDGzeoaqFhhUFNhVbfj1xrAS-VM8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Hills School District Board of Education on April 16 approved a resolution backing the Fair School Funding plan and voted to send amended written testimony to state lawmakers, citing potential funding losses under the House version of the state’s biennial budget.

The board voted 3–1 to adopt the resolution and then approved the amended testimony by the same margin. The votes were recorded as: Dr. Wendy Strickler — yes; Mark Bibb — yes; Mark Bell — yes; Mrs. Jonas — no.

Superintendent Larry Hook told the board the state budget process is continuing and urged caution about provisions in the House plan. “In February … it would have cost us over $850,000 over the 2 year period,” Hook said, summarizing the district’s estimate of how the governor’s proposal would have affected Forest Hills. He said the House proposal “placed the Fair School Funding Plan on hold” and added that the House included “a cap, an annual cap of 30% on your, basically, your end of the year balance.” Hook and board members said the cap could limit how local districts build reserves after passing levies.

Why it matters: Forest Hills administrators and board members said the changes under discussion at the state level could reduce the district’s future funding or restrict local control over levy proceeds. Superintendent Hook described the passage process — governor’s proposal, House version, then the Senate — and urged continued local advocacy to protect the district’s funding.

Board action and rationale
- On April 16 the board first amended the meeting agenda to add consideration of a Forest Hills resolution in support of the Fair School Funding plan and a separate action to approve amended testimony in response to newly released House budget language. The agenda amendment was approved during roll call earlier in the meeting.
- At the meeting’s end the board considered and approved a formal resolution supporting full funding of the Fair School Funding plan without the proposed 30% cap on year-end balances. The board also voted to send amended written testimony to Senate members and other state stakeholders reflecting the district’s concerns and suggested fixes.

Superintendent Hook, who presented the district’s analysis, emphasized that a cap on reserves would affect districts that pass levies and rely on reserves to manage flat property tax revenue. “It basically says the amount that you voted to pass, you can’t collect, which kind of flies against local control,” he said.

Public testimony and board discussion
Several members of the public addressed the board on funding and related issues during public comment. Resident Ken (last name redacted in the record) pressed the board to align staffing with declining enrollment and to include an attrition plan in the May forecast, citing a projected $7.5 million shortfall in a district financial document. Kevin Michak, who identified himself as a resident reviewing district forecasts, said the district has lost roughly 800 students over the last decade and will likely lose more, and warned the board that personnel costs remain the largest share of the budget.

What the district will do next
Superintendent Hook said he has sent a letter to members of the state Senate Education and Finance committees and that the administration is maintaining regular contact with legislative staff. The board’s resolution and the written testimony are intended to support that outreach.

Ending note
Board members and the superintendent said they will continue to update the community as the House and Senate budget proposals move toward conference committee and final passage.","At its April 16 meeting the Forest Hills School District Board of Education approved a resolution supporting the Fair School Funding plan and voted to submit amended written testimony to state senators, citing concerns about a proposed 30% cap on year-end balances and the House budget’s limited increases.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6595417,"Board adopts updated special‑education model policies; policy update prompts narrow policy debate on student assignment language",0,9957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032669-301fe15a7835d96de1358497dfa43a81&start=9957&end=9957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032669-301fe15a7835d96de1358497dfa43a81/thumbnail_9957000.jpg","/articles/6595417/Ohio/Board-adopts-updated-specialeducation-model-policies-policy-update-prompts-narrow-policy-debate-on-student-assignment-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595417-d2c6ed349d1b6cecc01e51610a72a9bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771017449&Signature=RUpQ4lmtDTG4rIo0byOWHKKUpMX1qbjADmQDBnzMvl03WUGX5EYqW0lB2e9Ta5gfp387uCE3TPkANzK9aUJN8W5Uy-WF0vL7q5b0Eksxa0i~MvajEm-dFaVgm6iIaOVfdJ3TBm2ekbAvTsoOeqhVkymeqNeXyzFmTklhc-595sxkCYePUo27MB9H6jqFTHMMIN3JS36TVwwjjenqpxU0tf9V9lJKReTa1gHKgjpq2mCpSjN5qXWJ0kpfJ832I9PttCYreWOZOJqYHyP~kO1YZaEFfm0PxmBhPjkIyyN0fhSos2EviLhE5~xcL6xq72nzGtTKoOVg00H~QJhHlJjGHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Hills Board of Education on April 16 adopted state model policies and procedures for special education and approved a package of policy updates, but paused a proposed revision to policy 5120 concerning student assignment and racial balance.

The special‑education resolution implements updated operating standards that the Ohio Department of Education issued in December and includes changes to categories, IEP reporting and other technical updates. The district was required to adopt the model policies and provide written assurances by May 30, 2025; the board approved the resolution during the meeting.

Dr. Ryan, who presented the special‑education item, said the operating standards had not been comprehensively revised since 2014 and that the new model policies include technical changes and clarifications. “We are required to adopt these by May thirtieth of 2025,” he told the board.

Policy committee and the 5120 debate
At the policy committee report the board reviewed a packet of updates. One proposed change to policy 5120 (student assignment) contained new language referencing the maintenance of racial balance among district schools. Several board members said the phrasing risks creating the impression that assignments would be made on the basis of race. The board elected not to adopt the updated language for 5120 and instead to retain the district’s existing assignment language.

Votes and next steps
- The board adopted the special‑education model policies by voice/roll call. The vote on that resolution was recorded as all present board members voting yes.
- The board approved the remaining policy updates in a single motion while explicitly leaving policy 5120 unchanged; that motion passed on a roll‑call vote.

Why it matters
Adopting the special‑education operating standards ensures the district aligns its written policies with state requirements and preserves eligibility, IEP and procedural protections for students with disabilities. The 5120 debate highlights local sensitivity about how districts describe student assignments and the balance between regulatory guidance and non‑discrimination obligations.

Ending note
The administration said it will implement the adopted special‑education procedures and will continue outreach and training for staff; the board asked staff to provide any needed clarifications to the 5120 language and to bring further revisions back to committee before future action.","The Forest Hills School District Board adopted updated state model special‑education policies and procedures required by the Ohio Department of Education and approved a package of policy updates while agreeing to leave policy 5120 (student assignment language) unchanged after board discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Treasurer reports $40M cash balance as board discusses forecast, enrollment declines and potential levy timing

Forest Hills board adopts resolution backing Fair School Funding plan, approves written testimony to state lawmakers

Board adopts updated special‑education model policies; policy update prompts narrow policy debate on student assignment language