Treasurer: Perrysburg faces lower tax receipts, 57 position reductions and program impacts ahead of levy

Perrysburg Exempted Village School District Treasurer Randy Drewer told the Board of Education on Aug. 18 that the district’s financial position reflects the impact of a rejected levy and ongoing cost pressures, including a drop in property-tax receipts and planned staff reductions.

Drewer reported a cash balance near the $30,000,000 mark and said the district’s “true cash days” — a measure that subtracts encumbered purchase orders from cash — stands at about 116 days, down from 122 at the same point last year. He told the board that revenue for the month was down roughly 20% year over year while expenses rose approximately 3.3%.

Drewer said the county tax settlement showed about $6,000,000 less in collections than the prior year and that some anticipated revenue tied to levies will be missing. He also reported the district’s first income-tax payment was up 3.1% year over year. The treasurer highlighted that some savings tied to eliminated positions will not fully appear in district payroll accounting until later months because negotiated contract cycles differ by employee group.

The board has eliminated 57 positions as part of the district’s reductions. District leaders said they tried to avoid classroom cuts where possible, but acknowledged families and students will begin to see program changes when school opens. Examples cited include fewer elective offerings at the high school, reduced music and activity options, expanded walk zones for transportation, higher fees for some family-paid activities and longer-term limits on hiring to replace staff.

Drewer warned the board that a designated severance fund (fund 035) that the district had been building with $300,000 annual contributions could be substantially drawn down in the spring given current retirement projections.

Public commenters raised operational impacts related to custodial staffing. Parent Jeremy Block told the board that the Junior Jacket after-school program serves roughly 800 students annually and relies heavily on elementary gyms. He said custodial shortages and contract language prevent volunteers from filling gaps, and urged the district to find creative solutions so students keep access to extracurriculars. "I have community members willing to volunteer," Block said. "That rigidity is costing our students access to programs that align directly with the district's strategic goals." The board said staff would follow up on the facility-usage and custodial-contract questions.

Administrators cautioned that some of the budget effects will phase in over several months, because pay-cycle timing differs by employee group: classified staff contracts are July 1–June 30 and are already reflected, administrative adjustments take effect Aug. 1, and certified teachers’ salary effects typically appear starting Sept. 1. Drewer said substitute costs remain significant — roughly $1 million a year — and that purchase services are running higher than expected, which may reflect timing of special-education and contract payments.

Board members and administrators repeatedly framed the upcoming November levy as the primary lever to restore programs and staffing. They said a permanent superintendent search will also be scheduled with an eye to the district’s financial outlook.

No formal budget votes were taken at the Aug. 18 meeting beyond routine monthly approvals; the board did approve a financial report and consent agenda items as part of the meeting’s consent actions.