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Pickerington Local board votes to seek county cost estimates for two operating-levy proposals after treasurer warns of multi-year deficit
Summary
Treasurer John Walsh presented a May financial forecast showing a projected general-fund deficit without additional revenue; the board approved resolutions to pursue county estimates for two operating-levy options (9.21 mills and 8 mills) and approved the district’s May financial forecast and related consent items.
John Walsh, Pickerington Local School District treasurer, told the school board on May 20 that the district is projecting multi-year deficits and will need additional operating revenue unless state or local funding changes.
Walsh presented the May financial forecast and said the district began the fiscal year with “almost $27,000,000 of cash” and now expects to end the year with about $23,300,000. He said the forecast projects roughly $159,000,000 in general-fund revenue and about $162,000,000 in expenditures for the current fiscal year — a deficit of about $3,500,000.
Walsh outlined revenue and expenditure drivers: about 45% of revenue comes from local taxes and about 52% from the state; property and public-utility taxes account for roughly 62% of local tax receipts while income tax is roughly 38% (about $26.8 million). On the spending side, Walsh said roughly 77% of costs are tied to staff (about $125 million), with transportation at about $9 million, tuition and preschool about $6 million, utilities roughly $3.7 million and professional services about $5.2 million.
The forecast models included a staffing “press pause” in fiscal 2026 and an operating levy modeled at 8 mills. Walsh said the district’s multiyear projection shows declining cash without new revenue and that, in a scenario with no levy revenue, the district’s days of cash on hand fall from 52 at the end of fiscal 2025 to negative numbers by fiscal 2028. With an 8-mill levy modeled on the November ballot, the forecast shows a half-year collection in fiscal 2026 of about $7,800,000 and improved cash balances in future years.
“Based upon that, we really need to pass this levy and get some cash flowing in, immediately,” a board member said; Walsh agreed and added, “I would agree with that, because I don't believe that there is enough spending that we could reduce to overcome the shortfall.” Walsh also warned that changes in the state budget could affect district aid and that a state budget under consideration would not fund the district until fiscal 2027.
After discussion, the board approved three formal items tied to district finances: the May financial forecast (treasurer’s report) and two separate resolutions of necessity asking Fairfield County for real-world cost estimates for operating levies under two millage options — a 9.21-mill proposal and an 8-mill proposal. Board members said the county estimates will allow the board to compare outcomes and decide which single levy request to submit to the board of elections. Roll-call votes on both resolutions were unanimous in favor.
Walsh and board members said next steps include awaiting county cost estimates and continuing outreach about the district’s fiscal outlook. County filing deadlines and board procedures will determine which levy request — only one notice to proceed can be submitted to the elections board — moves to a formal ballot measure.
