South Euclid‑Lyndhurst board warns of 2028 deficit, outlines multi‑phase facility plan and pushes levy outreach

The South Euclid‑Lyndhurst Board of Education on Sept. 16 heard a superintendent presentation laying out a shortened four‑year forecast that continues to show a projected budget deficit in 2028 and a four‑phase master facility plan intended to address aging buildings.

The superintendent said the district must show how it will return to a positive balance by 2028 to avoid state fiscal oversight, and listed budget areas that could be affected — from administration and teachers to programming, extracurriculars and transportation. "We'd rather decide what we need to cut back on versus the state coming in and telling us what we have to cut back on," the superintendent said.

The board was shown a master facility plan developed with audits and engineering input from Ameresco. The plan lays out four phases. Phase 1 — already underway — uses leftover funds to address urgent roofing and other high‑priority repairs at Brush High School and several elementary buildings. The presentation said Brush and Memorial received low facility grades in the engineering assessment (D‑minus) and are top priorities for repairs.

Finance staff member Josh told the board recent state timing changes shortened the official forecast submission window from five years to four, moving an earlier deadline to Oct. 15; he said the district will submit the forecast now and present it for board approval at the next meeting. He also outlined several financing options for phasing projects and said timing for each phase could range from one to five years, depending on available funding and creative financing.

The superintendent stressed the district is heavily dependent on local tax revenue, noting the district receives under 20% of its funding from the state compared with a state average of roughly 38% and described the district as "predominantly locally funded." The presentation included an online levy information page that explains what would appear on the ballot, why, and how much it would cost.

A member of the public, Stephanie Bridal, identified herself as chair of the Citizens for Continued Excellence in SEL Schools levy committee, urged residents to back Issue 52 in November and said the district’s classification as a "wealthy" district under state rules forces heavier reliance on local property taxes. "This places a significant burden on our community," Bridal said, noting the district’s aging buildings and recounting past levy cycles.

Votes at a glance - Minutes of the special Sept. 9 meeting (item 3.1): approved by roll call (Miss Falkenberg, Mister Sanders, Missus King, Miss Leads, Missus Shelby — all "Aye"). - Financial items (items 4.1–4.5): approved (motion/roll call). - Personnel and contracts (items 5.1–5.2, 6.1, 7.1): approved (motions carried by roll call). - Superintendent and curriculum items (items 8.1–8.3, 9.1–9.9, 10.1, 11.1–11.4): approved by roll call. - Board policy revisions (items 12.1–12.3): approved. - OSBA delegate (item 12.4): Christian Sanders appointed as delegate; Crystal Shelby named alternate; approval by roll call.

Why it matters: The forecast and facility plan frame the board’s near‑term choices on whether to place funding measures before voters and how to prioritize limited capital dollars. Board members were repeatedly told that failing to address a projected deficit could invite state oversight, which would limit local control of cuts and priorities.

Next steps: The superintendent said the district will submit the required forecast by Oct. 15 and intends to present an updated forecast for board approval at the next meeting; proponents of Issue 52 urged community outreach ahead of the November ballot. The meeting adjourned after routine business.