Pickerington Local board hears forecast showing $43.5 million cash swing; superintendent highlights shortage of English‑learner teachers

At its Aug. 25 meeting, the Pickerington Local School District board was warned that state budget assumptions could push the district’s FY26–29 cash position sharply lower and heard that staffing shortages for English‑learner students are significant.

Mister Walsh presented the treasurer’s May 2025 forecast, saying the Ohio House version of the biennial budget — which does not continue the Fair School Funding Plan — produced a projected cash swing on the district’s FY26–29 outlook of about $43,510,000. "This reduction is directly tied to the elimination of the FSFP," Walsh said, and he told the board the May forecast shows roughly $35,570,000 less in state aid when compared with the November 2024 forecast for the same four‑year period.

Why it matters: the forecast figures shape what the district can afford for staff and programs and are already informing discussions about possible revenue measures. Walsh said the forecast assumes adding 26 full‑time equivalents a year from FY26 through FY29 (104 positions total) and that some cost drivers include staffing, purchase services and capital outlays.

Board members asked how the forecast numbers match recent hiring. One member noted the district added closer to 39 FTEs this year; staff clarified the mix — two administrative, about 21.8 certified, 12 paraprofessionals, two custodians and a kindergarten aide — and said many of the hires were in high‑need areas such as special education and English learners.

The board also raised the prospect of exploring tax options. A board member asked whether the district has a plan to consult financial advisers; Walsh said the district met last week with municipal adviser Baker Tilly, which is preparing a proposal that will outline options and costs. "We continue to review that, and at some point we’ll bring that forward for board and public consumption," he said, and staff said the district would begin community education after election results and accelerate by November to meet any February deadlines.

Superintendent Dr. Smialek used the financial update to highlight an instructional gap affecting English‑learner students. "We are at 1,047 EL students," he said, noting research guidance of a 1:25 teacher‑to‑student ratio for EL services. "We actually have 27 teachers today instead of 42," he said, meaning the district’s current ratio is about 39:1 — roughly 14 EL teachers short of the recommended staffing level.

Smialek estimated the cost to close that gap would be "about 1.3, 1,400,000.0" in the current framing and suggested that multiplied over five years could amount to roughly $6 million, language the board and staff discussed as an illustration of the scale involved. He emphasized the district cannot run a deficit and must balance instructional needs against fiscal constraints.

Next steps: board members said they want more information as state budget negotiations continue; staff said the forecast could be revised if the final state budget restores additional funding. The district also said Baker Tilly’s proposal will return to the board for review before any public revenue measure is advanced.

Attribution: Treasurer comments and the forecast figures were presented by Mister Walsh; the EL staffing figures and related context were presented by Superintendent Doctor Smialek.

Ending: The board did not take final action on revenue measures at the Aug. 25 meeting; staff will return with more analysis and any updated forecast after the state budget picture clarifies.