Worthington board adopts $270 million budget package, approves transfers and fee schedule

The Worthington Schools Board of Education on June 24 approved a package of financial measures including year-end transfers and advances, the final fiscal year 2024 appropriations resolution, initial fiscal year 2025 appropriations and the FY25 fee schedule, Treasurer TJ Cusick told the board during a budget presentation and vote sequence.

The presentation and votes were part of a broader overview of the district’s budgeting process, which Cusick described as cyclical: tax budgets to Franklin County are prepared in January, the board adopts rates in March after the county budget commission, capital projects are planned and often bid in May, and the board adopts the official budget in June. Cusick said the board was being asked to approve a total budget package of about $270 million, with the general fund making up the majority of that total.

“On the left hand side, you see what… is on the agenda for the board to approve,” Cusick told trustees while walking through the budget book. He explained three accounting bases—cash, budgetary and full accrual—and said the board was voting on the budgetary basis tonight because it includes encumbrances such as open purchase orders. Cusick also highlighted that the $270 million total includes 27 other funds grouped into categories such as bond retirement, capital projects and special revenue funds.

Why it matters: the approved appropriations and transfers set legally required spending limits and allow the district to pay encumbered contracts (such as summer construction) and to receive and expend restricted grant funds. The votes also finalize the fee schedule the district will use in FY25 and remove the prior consumable classroom fee.

Most important facts and outcomes - The board approved year-end transfers and…