Trotwood-Madison board hears five-year deficit forecast, administration says about 35 positions may be cut
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Summary
Treasurer Geo Evans and Superintendent Howard told the board the district faces multi-year deficit spending, projecting a positive FY28 balance but a return to negative cash in FY29; administration said it may reduce roughly 35 positions and will notify affected staff by Feb. 28.
TROTWOOD, Ohio — The Trotwood-Madison City Board of Education on Feb. 19 heard a five-year financial forecast showing the district can meet obligations through fiscal 2028 but is projected to return to a negative cash balance in fiscal 2029 without additional reductions.
Geo Evans, the district treasurer, framed the projection as a management tool and pointed to recent state legislation and the FY26–27 budget as reasons for continuing uncertainty. Evans noted the district received a net increase in state aid from added enrollment but warned that a cut of $953,706 in supplemental targeted assistance would significantly reduce revenue across the forecast horizon. "A forecast is somewhat like a painting of the future based on a snapshot of today," Evans said during his presentation.
Superintendent Howard described a multi-pronged reduction strategy already under way and said the district remains focused on protecting classroom instruction and "100% student success." Howard told the board the administration is "already in financial distress" and estimated the district is "looking at about maybe 35 positions" that could be reduced through a combination of attrition and layoffs, while also implementing building-level budget cuts and administrative freezes.
The treasurer’s projection included a projected FY28 ending general fund balance of $3,384,701 and a projected FY29 deficit of $2,176,988. Administration said the recovery plan submitted to the Ohio Department of Education is intended to restore a positive balance by FY28 but cautioned the district still faces risk if the underlying assumptions change.
Board members asked about timing and support for employees who may lose positions. Howard said the district will inform affected staff by Feb. 28 and will provide a list of open position classifications to the county education service center so displaced employees can be referred to other districts. "We will meet with everybody in person," Howard said when discussing how notices and conversations will be handled.
The board did not vote on layoffs at the meeting; instead, members heard the forecast and discussed next steps, including continuing negotiations with union leaders and monthly updates to the board.
The administration plans to return with any required additional filings and will present an updated forecast again in August if the FY29 projection remains negative.