Ross Local board approves May five-year forecast showing surplus this year, projected deficits later

Treasurer Steve Cassader presented the Ross Local Board of Education with a May update to the district's five-year financial forecast and the board voted to approve the forecast for submission to the Ohio Department of Education.

The forecast projects about $34 million in revenue and roughly $31.3 million in expenditures for fiscal 2025, leaving an estimated ending cash balance of about $8.8 million and roughly 103 days cash on hand. Cassader told the board the forecast shows revenue growth of about 2.5% annually against an assumed 5% annual increase in expenditures, producing small deficits beginning in fiscal 2026 and widening later in the five-year window.

Cassader said the forecast covers only the general fund, uses three years of historical data plus the current year and four forecast years, and is a…