Treasurer reports $40M cash balance as board discusses forecast, enrollment declines and potential levy timing

The Forest Hills School District treasurer told the board on April 16 that the district’s March 31 cash balance stood at about $40 million and its unreserved balance at approximately $35.2 million, and warned the board that cash reserves typically decline as the fiscal year ends.

Treasurer Alana Cropper summarized revenues and cashflow: donations in the month totaled more than $22,000, bringing year‑to‑date donations to about $471,000. The district received approximately $1 million in real estate advances in March, bringing total spring collection advances to roughly $30.5 million, she said. Cropper also reported that, with 75% of the fiscal year complete, the district had spent 72% of appropriations and therefore was tracking close to plan.

Why it matters: Board members and members of the public connected the treasurer’s figures to longer‑term budget pressure from declining enrollment, rising salary and benefit costs, and uncertainty in state aid. Those dynamics shape whether and when the district will need future levies.

Board discussion and public comment Board members and speakers in public comment described falling enrollment and rising personnel costs as central fiscal challenges. Resident Kevin Michak presented district enrollment figures and said the district lost roughly 800 students over the past decade (about an 11% drop) and faces additional projected losses over the next five years. Another resident, Ken (last name redacted), asked the board to include an attrition plan with May’s forecast that would align personnel reductions when positions are not replaced.

Cropper described the district’s cash‑flow profile and noted that March is typically a high point in the district’s cash flow because of collections; she cautioned that the cash balance is expected to be spent down between March and June. “We have enough cash to operate the district for 145 days and enough of unreserved cash to operate the district for 127 days,” Cropper said.

Consent agenda and next steps The board approved the consent agenda that included the treasurer’s report (items 9.1 through 13.1J) by roll‑call vote. The administration plans to update the five‑year forecast in May and to continue reporting to the board about enrollment, staffing and levy timing as the state budget process and local projections evolve.

Ending note Board members said they will pursue more detailed enrollment and staffing analyses and consider community engagement and exit‑interview data to better understand why some families leave the district.