Forest Hills board adopts resolution backing Fair School Funding plan, approves written testimony to state lawmakers

The Forest Hills School District Board of Education on April 16 approved a resolution backing the Fair School Funding plan and voted to send amended written testimony to state lawmakers, citing potential funding losses under the House version of the state’s biennial budget.

The board voted 3–1 to adopt the resolution and then approved the amended testimony by the same margin. The votes were recorded as: Dr. Wendy Strickler — yes; Mark Bibb — yes; Mark Bell — yes; Mrs. Jonas — no.

Superintendent Larry Hook told the board the state budget process is continuing and urged caution about provisions in the House plan. “In February … it would have cost us over $850,000 over the 2 year period,” Hook said, summarizing the district’s estimate of how the governor’s proposal would have affected Forest Hills. He said the House proposal “placed the Fair School Funding Plan on hold” and added that the House included “a cap, an annual cap of 30% on your, basically, your end of the year balance.” Hook and board members said the cap could limit how local districts build reserves after passing levies.

Why it matters: Forest Hills administrators and board members said the changes under discussion at the state level could reduce the district’s future funding or restrict local control over levy proceeds. Superintendent Hook described the passage process — governor’s proposal, House version, then the Senate — and urged continued local advocacy to protect the district’s funding.

Board action and rationale - On April 16 the board first amended the meeting agenda to add consideration of a Forest Hills resolution in support of the Fair School Funding plan and a separate action to approve amended testimony in response to newly released House budget language. The agenda amendment was approved during roll call earlier in the meeting. - At the meeting’s end the board considered and approved a formal resolution supporting full funding of the Fair School Funding plan without the proposed 30% cap on year-end balances. The board also voted to send amended written testimony to Senate members and other state stakeholders reflecting the district’s concerns and suggested fixes.

Superintendent Hook, who presented the district’s analysis, emphasized that a cap on reserves would affect districts that pass levies and rely on reserves to manage flat property tax revenue. “It basically says the amount that you voted to pass, you can’t collect, which kind of flies against local control,” he said.

Public testimony and board discussion Several members of the public addressed the board on funding and related issues during public comment. Resident Ken (last name redacted in the record) pressed the board to align staffing with declining enrollment and to include an attrition plan in the May forecast, citing a projected $7.5 million shortfall in a district financial document. Kevin Michak, who identified himself as a resident reviewing district forecasts, said the district has lost roughly 800 students over the last decade and will likely lose more, and warned the board that personnel costs remain the largest share of the budget.

What the district will do next Superintendent Hook said he has sent a letter to members of the state Senate Education and Finance committees and that the administration is maintaining regular contact with legislative staff. The board’s resolution and the written testimony are intended to support that outreach.

Ending note Board members and the superintendent said they will continue to update the community as the House and Senate budget proposals move toward conference committee and final passage.