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CFO: Hamilton County sees modest cushion in fund balance; TISA formula changes to be clarified

Hamilton County Board of Education · February 20, 2026

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Summary

Chief financial officer Miss Mariela reported the district is 'on track' for the budget season, noted a roughly $5.4 million excess over the 3% fund-balance minimum, and said the TISA funding formula could increase base funding but that charter direct funding and ESA vouchers will affect realized dollars.

Miss Mariela, the district's chief financial officer, gave a budget overview at the Feb. 19 work session, advising the board that sales tax receipts are strong but that changes in personal property assessment partially offset revenue.

She explained the TISA formula's components (base, weights and direct) and said Hamilton County's fiscal capacity results in a share where roughly 58% of the formula is state funding after adjustments. She also said approximately $19,000,000 is expected to flow directly to charter schools this year and estimated ESA-related funds around $7,000,000, noting those dollars affect what the district actually realizes. "When we hear the formula is gonna generate more dollars, what we actually realize is money from the state ... about 58%," Mariela said.

Mariela said the district currently has about $5.4 million in excess over the 3% fund-balance minimum required by the state and that the board should proceed carefully during budget season while prioritizing compensation and other investments.

What happens next: Staff will refine TISA realizations after February ADM counts and report back. The board set a joint finance and policy committee meeting for March 5 to focus on staffing and compensation.