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Wooster board approves FY26 appropriations and files fall forecast; treasurer warns of multi‑year deficits
Summary
The Wooster City Schools Board approved permanent appropriations for fiscal 2026 and the district’s fall forecast to the Ohio Department of Education, while treasurer Amy Welty told the board the district is projecting deficit spending and highlighted a $23 million transfer currently held in the capital projects fund.
The Wooster City Schools Board of Education on Tuesday approved the district’s permanent appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and unanimously voted to submit the required fall forecast to the Ohio Department of Education.
Treasurer Amy Welty told the board the permanent appropriations total $69,098,004.78 and explained that the figures in the forecast reflect known revenue, current contracts and preliminary spending plans. She cautioned that the district projects deficit spending in the coming years and emphasized the timing challenges created by new state forecast submission deadlines.
Welty recapped recent cash movements: the district moved about $2.2 million to the capital projects fund earlier in the fiscal year and transferred $23 million into the capital projects fund at fiscal‑year end 2025. That $23 million remains in capital projects while the district evaluates facility options; Welty said she has the authority to move funds back to the general fund if the board later directs it.
Welty said revenue drivers include property taxes (the district’s collection rate is near 99 percent) and state foundation funding tied to current enrollment. She noted a temporary shortfall in utility company tax payments of roughly $800,000 that is expected to be resolved in a later distribution.
On expenditures, Welty cited higher costs from negotiated salary increases, increased purchase services and utilities, and higher tuition and contract costs for some high‑need students. She said federal restricted funds and certain reimbursements may decline and that the district is carrying advance transfers to cover negative balances in restricted federal funds until grants are settled.
Board members asked for comparisons to prior years and sought clarity on how the $23 million transfer affects general‑fund balances. Welty answered that the transfer is recorded as an operating transfer and reduces the general‑fund balance for forecast purposes; she said total cash across district funds (including capital) remains larger and that more clarity will come in the February forecast update.
The board approved the permanent appropriations and the fall forecast by roll call after motions to move and second the measures. No board member voted against either action.
