Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board warns Lucas County valuation errors could reduce district state funding
Summary
Treasurer Jane Pruitt briefed the Oregon Board of Education about Lucas County property overvaluations that she said could lower the district's state foundation funding; board members said they will pursue legislative corrections and county coordination.
Jane Pruitt, the district treasurer, told the Oregon Board of Education on Feb. 18 that an overstatement in Lucas County property valuations could reduce the district's state foundation funding.
Pruitt said the district's review shows "around total is about 16,000,000" in affected value with "taxable is... right under 5,700,000," and urged the board to work with county officials and legislators to seek correction. "We want homeowners to be properly valued," she said, framing the issue as one of accuracy rather than a tax increase.
The treasurer said the problem appears to stem from county valuation work that was later sent to the state, and that similar situations have previously required legislative fixes. A board member added that "none of what was just stated will affect anybody's taxes" and described the issue as a funding-mechanism concern: if local property values are recorded too high, the state may reduce aid on the assumption the district can raise more locally.
Superintendent Dr. Fritz told the board the district will coordinate advocacy with local superintendents and legislative contacts; he plans to raise the matter with a Lucas County superintendents' meeting and with regional legislative allies. Board members instructed staff to continue fact-gathering and to bring options for advocacy and corrective steps back to the board.
The discussion followed the treasurer's presentation of routine appropriation adjustments, a reported $1 million cash advance received in January and other items affecting cash flow. Pruitt recommended retaining membership in the Ohio Educational Policy Institute, noting its fiscal analyses are used by legislators. The board approved the treasurer's report by roll-call vote.
Next steps: the district said it would pursue county-level clarification of the valuations and engage local legislators; the board did not take separate formal action beyond approving the treasurer's report and asking staff to follow up.
