Ravenna board approves financial forecast, permanent appropriations and contracts after treasurer flags timing and cash‑flow issues

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,…