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Pickerington board urges community to back May income-tax levy amid funding uncertainty
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Summary
Board President Kathy Olszewski and district officials outlined point-in-time financial figures and urged voters to support a May income-tax levy, saying state funding timing and property-tax shifts leave the district facing uncertainty for staffing and programs.
Kathy Olszewski, president of the Pickerington Local Board of Education, urged residents to support an income-tax levy on the May ballot, saying the district has limited options to maintain staff and services amid uncertain state and property-tax revenue.
"The burden on the local community to fund public education is real, and it's getting bigger in this state," Olszewski said, asking residents to "join us on the fifth or before to vote for this levy." She framed the request as necessary to protect programs for about 12,000 students and to preserve staff positions.
Treasurer Mr. Walsh told the board the March financial report is a point-in-time snapshot that can change as county tax settlements and state adjustments are finalized. He noted the district's general fund balance in March was approximately $35.3 million but cautioned that month-to-month figures are affected by settlement timing and one-time adjustments.
"You have to understand the whole picture," Walsh said, explaining the difference between raw enrollment counts and funded full-time equivalents and urging the community to focus on fiscal-year-end projections rather than single monthly data points.
Superintendent Dr. Smiley announced a district town hall at Pickerington High School Central the next evening to present departments and take questions, and said staff will be available to explain the income-tax issue and related financial materials published on the district website.
Votes at a glance: the board approved the March financial report, accepted an anonymous donation to North athletics, approved the consent agenda of personnel changes, approved the elementary/middle-school fee schedule, and approved technology and construction contract items discussed at the meeting.
What happens next: The district will host the town hall to discuss the levy and related budget questions, and trustees asked the community to review the financial materials posted to the district's website prior to voting.
