Board hears financial overview, approves policy and operations items; discusses high-school facilities planning

The Worthington Public School District board reviewed the district’s financials and approved several operations and facilities items at its April meeting.

Financial overview: Carmen (district staff) told the board the district’s revenue-and-expenditure report for the period ending March 31, 2025 shows operating revenue at 71.03 percent of budget compared with 67.42 percent at the same time last year. Total operating expenditures were 65.59 percent of budget this year compared with 68.16 percent at the same time last year. The administration said some operating-capital purchases planned for next year were being made in the current fiscal year to avoid projected price increases, and a revised budget will be prepared for the May board meeting.

Policy and operations approvals: The board approved the second reading of Policy 704 (development and maintenance of an inventory of fixed assets and fixed-asset accounting system) on a motion by Laurie and second by Anne. The board also approved a lease of the district’s soccer field to the city of Worthington for $1 per year with the city responsible for summer maintenance and management. The board authorized acceptance of a quitclaim deed from SMAC (per agenda language) and authorized the chair and secretary to execute a warranty deed, following the operations committee’s recommendation and an attorney’s advice to create a clear paper trail.

Purchases and property: The board approved purchase of staff laptops, monitors and keyboards at a total cost stated in the meeting as $1,975 (under the district bid limit) and noted that current pricing is favorable and about $40,000 under prior estimates. The board also approved declaring a maintenance pickup at Prairie Elementary as surplus property and directed staff to put it out for bids.

Facilities planning: Board members discussed organization of the high‑school facilities directive and whether operations or a separate facilities committee should lead the work. The discussion centered on committee scope: the committee will set priorities (for example, kitchen upgrades, secure entrance work) and expectations for quotes, while the superintendent and administration will solicit multiple quotes and carry out procurement and project work. The board agreed the committee will set direction and a future work session will return with prioritized high‑school needs.

Why it matters: The financial snapshot indicates the district is generally on track against budgeted revenue and expenditures through March, while the approvals for asset management policy, leases, property transfers and targeted purchases enable near-term operations and facilities planning.

What happened and what’s next: Administration will prepare a revised budget for May; the operations/facilities committee will continue work to prioritize high‑school projects and return to a future work session with recommendations.