Board hears November financial report; approves amended FY26 appropriations and staffing additions
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Summary
The board heard a November financial update showing revenues slightly above estimates and expenditures modestly over estimate; members approved amended FY26 appropriations and a staffing plan that increases classified FTE requests to 12 (from 7.5), which administration said can be absorbed within the current forecast.
The Big Walnut Local School District board received its monthly financial update for November on Dec. 15 and approved amended appropriations and staffing adjustments intended to align operations with student needs.
Finance presenter Scott Gooding said year‑to‑date revenue totaled $33,560,000 versus an estimate of $33,510,000, a positive variance of $48,315 (0.14%). Expenditures were reported at $27,970,000 versus an estimate of $27,650,000, a variance of $320,061 (1.16%). Gooding noted salaries were running under budget by approximately $439,521 while benefits were over by about $344,203; he also highlighted lower investment earnings that reduced other revenue and pointed to a strong ending cash balance of $31,810,000.
During the financial presentation Gooding also updated the board on public records requests and recent state legislative activity, noting four House bills (House Bills 129, 186, 335 and 309) were delivered to the governor on Dec. 9 and that the 10‑day clock for any gubernatorial action had begun.
Following the financial report the board approved amended appropriations for FY26 at the fund level (citing ORC sections 5705.38 and 5705.39) and approved changes to the FY26 staffing plan. The staffing update increased the classified full‑time equivalent request from 7.5 to 12 FTE to meet unanticipated student needs (bus drivers, custodial staff, teaching assistants, food service); administration said the additional positions were included in the forecast and could be funded within the current budget without a request for new appropriations.
Board members asked about how positions tied to student needs would be managed if demand changed; staff said positions could be reassigned or eliminated through reduction in force if necessary. The staffing plan and amended appropriations were approved by recorded vote.