The Garfield Heights City School District Board of Education on Aug. 18 reviewed July financials and heard Treasurer Mr. Olko say the district has made significant spending cuts and restructuring following the failed renewal levy, producing “about the $990,000 variance in expenditures.”

Mr. Olko, the district treasurer, told the board, “July is the first month of our fiscal year that we flipped over, and you'll see in the report that it was significantly under in expenditures ... it's about the $990,000 variance in expenditures.” He said that variance will likely grow as the district processes its first payrolls under new contracts in September.

The discussion matters because the district used a financial forecast workbook submitted in May to the state and then implemented administrative changes to meet state requirements. Mr. Olko said those steps helped the district ``turn around'' its fiscal position in about 35 days.

Board members praised the treasurer and Superintendent Dr. Reynolds for the coordination. Mrs. Daniels told the meeting she appreciated the work to produce the turnaround plan; a separate board member said the superintendent and treasurer had worked ``fluidly'' to address the crisis.

Mr. Olko also reported on federal grant administration, saying the district closed out its fiscal grants for federal year 2025, which puts it in position to start federal fiscal year 2026 on schedule. He said that cycle helps support Title-funded staff who run after-school and other programs.

Action taken: The board voted to approve the district’s financials for July 2025. The motion to approve the July financial report was moved by Ms. Morrison and seconded by Ms. Thomas; roll call votes were recorded as yes from Ms. Morrison, Ms. Thomas, Mrs. Daniels and Dr. King.

The treasurer’s remarks and the board’s approval do not themselves change budgets; they recorded the district’s current status and noted follow-up as payrolls and next-month reports come in.

Board members asked for questions and expressed thanks for the rapid work that produced the workbook and the fiscal adjustments. The board did not take additional formal policy action on funding at the Aug. 18 meeting.