Pickerington school leaders promise extended outreach after 63–37 levy defeat; treasurer outlines tax-law impacts

Pickerington Local School District Superintendent Dr. Smialek said Monday that district leaders will spend the summer reaching out to community members after voters rejected a proposed 1.25% income-tax request, describing the 63–37 result as a clear message.

"Our need for increased revenue is real," Dr. Smialek told the board at its May 11 meeting, and urged residents, including those who had not previously participated in town halls, to join a series of conversations the district plans to convene. He said the district will post a call for participants on social media and reach out directly to stakeholders the district views as potential ambassadors for broader community engagement.

The context for that outreach is the district's financial picture. Treasurer Mr. Walsh told the board the district had positive cash flow in April driven partly by an unusual property-tax settlement from Fairfield County and stronger-than-expected income-tax receipts. "Fiscal year to date on the general fund side, we're continued to be $14,000,000 positive cash flow," Walsh said, and projected the district would likely end the fiscal year near the board's reserve policy (about 44–45 days of cash on hand).

Walsh cautioned that timing effects drive much of the near-term appearance of health. "All cash, year to date, if you take all of our funds together, it's a negative $7,000,000," he said, noting construction and food-service activity as major timing drivers. He also summarized the district's modeling of recent state tax-law changes, saying officials had included an estimated $5.1 million reduction in revenue across the forecast through fiscal 2030 and that the largest reappraisal effects are expected beginning in fiscal 2028.

Board members pressed staff on operational details. Trustees asked whether food-service deficits would require transfers from the general fund; Walsh said food-service carried a multi-million-dollar cash balance and federal rules require the district to retain roughly three months of operating expenses, and that capital replacements for major equipment follow capital-funding rules rather than the food-service operating line.

The board did not adopt a new levy Monday. Dr. Smialek said any new proposal would need two readings by August to appear on an upcoming ballot and that the district has "much time in between to listen and engage." He emphasized that the district’s near-term priority during spring events is focusing on students as staff complete the school year.

The board asked staff to return with more detailed forecasts tied to the program reductions and operational changes the district would implement if additional revenue measures are not approved. The district also committed to broader community engagement this summer to gather input before pursuing another funding request.