Anthony Wayne treasurer reports revenues up but warns state budget proposals could cut capital funds
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Summary
Treasurer Carrie told the Anthony Wayne Local Schools board that the district closed FY2024–25 with revenues exceeding expenditures but remains worried about proposed state budget changes to “inside millage,” the 20-mill floor and other carryover rules that could reduce dollars available for permanent-improvement projects.
Anthony Wayne Local Schools Treasurer Carrie told the district Board of Education on the board’s regular June meeting that revenues for fiscal 2024–25 exceeded expenditures, but she urged caution because state budget proposals could cut funding used for capital projects.
The report, delivered during the board’s June meeting, covered the district’s final appropriation resolution for fiscal year 2024–25, a final amended certificate of estimated resources and temporary appropriations to cover payroll on July 1. Carrie said the district recorded about $3.7 million more revenue than the prior year due primarily to “nexus revenue” and the effect of the 20-mill floor on property-tax receipts.
Those revenue gains offset increases in appropriations of about $1 million over the year, the treasurer said. Drivers included stipends paid under the state “science of reading” program (which were later reimbursed by the state), bringing back staff previously funded by ESSER grants, and some termination payouts.
“Even though we had a lot of change this year … our revenues exceeded our expenditures and that’s what we wanted,” Carrie said, noting the district ended the year with roughly $2 million on hand.
Why it matters: the treasurer flagged possible state budget changes that, if enacted, would reduce local authority and revenue streams used for school maintenance, buses, textbooks and other capital needs. She described an earlier conference committee proposal to eliminate or reduce “inside millage” — the local portion of property-tax millage set by the budget commission — which she said would have removed roughly $6.7 million that the district uses for general and permanent-improvement (PI) funds.
“Without that money, we do not have a source of revenue to do those maintenance projects,” Carrie said. She said the district had already committed purchase orders for the summer’s PI projects and hoped any state change would not be applied retroactively to those already-allocated funds.
Board members and staff said they had heard conflicting reports from the state. Later in the meeting, the board shared that Katie Johnson, listed in the meeting as OASMO director, confirmed the conference committee did not eliminate inside millage — a development the treasurer called “a huge relief” — but the district remained uncertain about changes to the 20-mill floor, carryover caps and other provisions until final action and the governor’s signature.
Other routine approvals and highlights: the board approved the May 2025 financials and donations, including a $9,000 gift funding a summer learning program at Waterville Primary and an in-kind donation (scaffolding/lift) used for a mural at Montclova Primary.
The board also approved: the final amended certificate of estimated resources for FY24–25; temporary appropriations (set at 30% of current appropriations, excluding federal and state grants, to permit payroll on July 1); renewal of property, fleet and liability insurance with the Ohio School Plan/Hyland Insurance at $166,145 (an increase of $18,792 from last year); participation in a workers‑compensation group-rating program (the treasurer said the annual cost to participate is about $2,100 and yields a lower rate, currently about $0.68 per dollar); and membership renewals and other recurring items listed on the agenda.
Capital and procurement actions approved: the board awarded the junior-high freezer and cooler project to Van Tassel Construction Company at $228,900; approved a small scholarship fund start-up donation of $100; and approved personnel and routine educational agreements tied to summer and special-education services.
What the board did not decide at the meeting: there was no binding board action on possible sale or disposition of district land discussed elsewhere on the agenda. The treasurer and superintendent said they would continue to track final state budget language and report back to the board when specifics — including any governor’s action — are available.
The board voted unanimously to approve the treasurer’s set of motions as presented. Roll call votes recorded yes from Mr. Baden, Ms. McKnight, Mr. Miller and Mr. Stone.