Lakewood City Schools’ treasurer presented a multi‑year financial forecast Dec. 1 that projects growing operating pressure and potential ballot options to maintain services.

Treasurer Kent Zeman said the district expects expenditures to outpace revenues by about $4.5 million in fiscal year 2026, following a roughly $1.9 million shortfall in the prior fiscal year. He described the district as a “personal services business,” noting 83% of expenditures are salaries and benefits and that state funding as a share of general fund revenues has declined in recent years.

Zeman showed projected 'true days cash' of 174 days in 2026, which the forecast brings to a negative 41 days by 2030 under current assumptions. To address the gap, he outlined three operating levy scenarios for a potential 2026 ballot: 5.9, 6.9, or 7.9 mills. The presentation explained a recent $33 million refunding of debt service will lower scheduled debt millage beginning in 2026, producing about a 2‑mill net reduction in household tax impact; as a result a 6.9‑mill operating levy would have an estimated net taxpayer impact of roughly $171.50 annually on a $100,000 home (the gross 6.9‑mill calculation was $241.50 before the debt reduction).

Board members discussed timing tradeoffs: placing a lower‑millage levy earlier could require returning to voters sooner, while delaying a levy typically increases required millage to keep pace with inflation. Zeman emphasized assumptions in the forecast—including continued status as a 'guarantee' district under current state law—are subject to change and that any state policy shifts or revenue changes would alter the projections.

The board did not take a binding levy vote during the Dec. 1 meeting; staff described the scenarios, next steps and voter‑timing considerations to inform future decisions.