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Kings Local treasurer warns of flat state funding; board faces levy-or-cut decision
Summary
District finance leaders told the board the current forecast shows flat state revenues and rising expenses, leaving the district headed toward spending down reserves unless the board pursues new local revenue or program cuts.
The Kings Local School District treasurer briefed the board that current financial forecasts show relatively flat state funding and continued inflationary expense growth, leaving the district to decide on revenue measures or spending cuts ahead of the next fiscal year.
The treasurer said the most recent draft forecast is within 1% of the November projection, but repeated state-level proposals create uncertainty. Under the governor’s version of the state budget the district estimated a potential $2 million loss over three years; the House finance proposal would hold funding relatively flat. “We’re just not getting adequate funding from the state of Ohio,” the treasurer said, adding that the district has pursued local revenue and cost-savings steps that have yielded about $7.2 million so far toward an $8 million target.
Superintendent Sears and board members said the district has cut peripheral costs and pursued efficiencies but that personnel and purchased services comprise roughly 90% of the district’s expenditures, limiting the non-classroom places to reduce spending. The treasurer warned that if the board waits beyond key calendar dates it could lose the opportunity to place a levy on the ballot or to implement program cuts before the new fiscal year.
Board members asked for continued community outreach and advocacy on state funding and said they will present a formal plan in May (board briefing schedule referenced) about possible revenue generation and program reductions.
No formal board vote was taken on a levy at the meeting; the treasurer said the board will need to consider a mix of revenue and targeted cuts to avoid materially affecting classroom programs.
