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Amanda-Clearcreek board accepts five-year forecast after administrators flag near-term shortfall
Summary
Board members approved a five-year forecast that shows a near-term deficit largely driven by a $600,000 decision to buy math and science curricula this fiscal year and a roughly 40-student enrollment decline; administrators said, excluding that one-time purchase, the forecast would be positive.
The Amanda-Clearcreek Local School District board approved a five-year financial forecast after administrators warned that a planned purchase of new math and science curricula and lower enrollment will produce a near-term deficit.
District finance staff reported October revenues of $2,673,930 and expenditures of $2,989,221, with a general fund balance of $11,685,949 and an available cash balance near $8,011,000. The board then reviewed a five-year projection that shows a negative position this fiscal year largely because the district advanced a $600,000 curriculum purchase into the current year instead of budgeting it for fiscal 2026.
“The bigger drop than expected in revenue is what is causing the difference,” the district treasurer said, adding the district is about 40 students below last year’s enrollment. “If you take that $600,000 out of there, we’re plus $300.” That comment summarized the administration’s view that the shortfall is primarily timing and one-time spending rather than an ongoing structural collapse.
The treasurer outlined other drivers: state foundation funding changes, enrollment trends, and temporary data pulls from the state that affected foundation payments. The presentation noted the district’s construction project investment earnings have offset some costs; staff said they had collected $848,000 in interest related to the construction project and maintain a capital fund balance of more than $8 million.
Board members asked about enrollment tracking and where students who leave the district are going; staff said they are collecting historical cohort data back to 2019 to better understand moves to online schools and other options. Administrators also said many of the district’s one-time facilities costs will move to the capital account, easing general-fund pressure in future years.
The board voted to accept the five-year forecast and directed staff to continue work on a proposed cash policy to guide carryover levels and corporate decision triggers. The meeting subsequently moved on to other consent items and then to executive session.
Next step: administrators will return with additional enrollment and cash-policy details at a future meeting.
