The Ravenna Board of Education approved the district's financial forecast, permanent appropriations and a bundle of contracts and personnel items after Treasurer Kristen Plageman presented an updated financial outlook and explained changes required by House Bill 96.

Plageman told the board that House Bill 96 altered submission timing and reduced the state-required forecast horizon from five years to four. She said the district will submit the fall forecast to the state by October 15 under the new schedule but is continuing to present a five‑year view to the community. Plageman said the district will not begin collecting revenue from the newly approved levy until January 2026, a timing factor that reduces this year's cash on hand.

The treasurer walked the board through revenue and expenditure components. Local taxes account for roughly 45% of projected revenue (up from about 40%), she said, with real‑estate taxes representing about 38% of district revenue; Plageman reported that about 68% of that real‑estate tax revenue comes from homeowners and 32% from businesses. State sources accounted for about 51% of revenue, and she noted the district received $127,470 in casino tax revenue last year. On the expenditure side, Plageman said salaries and benefits comprise about 82% of total spending, purchased services about 14% and all other categories about 4%.

Plageman pointed to a small projected deficit in a mid‑range year (on the order of roughly $30,000) and described swings in the district's projected days of cash on hand: about 44 days in the current forecast year, a rise to about 68 days in 2027 and about 73 days in 2029. She highlighted line 15.01 (cash balance) and reported a projected cash balance of roughly $4.3 million in 2030 on the district's longer forecast.

After the presentation the board voted on a package of routine and stand‑alone fiscal and administrative items. The board approved the consent agenda (minutes, gifts/donations acceptance, August financial reports and then‑and‑now payments); permanent appropriations for FY26; the fiscal officer certificate resolution; the district's September 2025 forecast and assumptions; and Reed Memorial Library's rate resolution for budget year 2026. The board also approved a series of superintendent recommendations (athletic worker rates for 2025‑26, a memorandum of understanding with Kent City Schools on Title I tutoring, a contract with LearnWell for special‑education services, an amendment to the Ravenna High School parent‑student handbook to align honors diploma requirements with state changes, payments in lieu of transportation for eligible families, and a purchase‑service agreement to fund an attendance liaison at Williard Elementary).

Personnel motions covering retirements, hires, coaches, volunteers, substitutes and other classified and certified employment items were approved as a bundle in roll calls recorded in the meeting minutes.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (12A1–4: August 25 business meeting minutes; acceptance of gifts/donations; August financial reports; then‑and‑now payments): Approved (roll call: Mrs. Calhoun Yes; Mrs. Dennison Yes; Ms. Dukes Yes; Mr. Wisniewski Yes).
- 12A5 Permanent appropriations for FY26: Approved (roll call recorded: Mrs. Calhoun Yes; Mrs. Dennison Yes; Ms. Dukes Yes; Mr. Wisniewski Yes).
- 12A6 Fiscal officer certificate resolution: Approved (roll call: Mrs. Calhoun Yes; Mrs. Dennison Yes; Ms. Dukes Yes; Mr. Wisniewski Yes).
- 12A7 Approval of September 2025 forecast and assumptions: Approved (roll call: Mrs. Calhoun Yes; Mrs. Dennison Yes; Ms. Dukes Yes; Mr. Wisniewski Yes).
- 12A8 Reed Memorial Library rate resolution for 2026: Approved (roll call: Mrs. Calhoun Yes; Mrs. Dennison Yes; Ms. Dukes Yes; Mr. Wisniewski Yes).
- 13A1 Athletic worker rates (0% increase for 2025‑26): Approved.
- 13A2 MOU with Kent City Schools for Title I tutoring services for Venice students attending St. Patrick's School: Approved.
- 13A3 Contract with LearnWell for services supporting students with IEPs (2025‑26): Approved.
- 13A4 Amendment to Ravenna High School parent/student handbook (honors diploma requirements): Approved.
- 13A5 Payment in lieu of transportation agreements (2025‑26 at state minimum): Approved.
- 13A6 Purchase service agreement for an attendance liaison at Williard Elementary (funded by School Improvement Grants): Approved.
- 14A–14D Personnel items (retirements, hires, coaches, advisors, volunteers, substitutes, classified hires and leaves): Approved (roll calls recorded; one abstention noted for two pulled items — Mrs. Calhoun abstained on items 14B‑6/7).

The board took no immediate action in open session beyond the recorded roll‑call approvals. Per board policy, public comment is acknowledged but the board and superintendent did not respond during the meeting; the district said it will follow up in writing.

Why it matters: The forecast and appropriations set the district's financial posture for staffing, curriculum implementation and grants. The timing of levy revenue and the change in state submission rules were the central budgetary items flagged by the treasurer.

The board adjourned after moving into an executive session on employment matters under Ohio law.