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Norton City board approves five-year fiscal forecast, flags cafeteria subsidy and rising health costs
Summary
The Norton City School Board approved its five-year forecast for fiscal years 2025–2029 and will submit it to the Ohio Department of Education. The presentation noted about $1,000,000 in additional CEP funds, a likely transfer of roughly $300,000 from the general fund to the cafeteria, and recent double‑digit health care cost increases.
The Norton City School Board voted unanimously to approve the district's five‑year forecast for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 and to submit the forecast to the Ohio Department of Education.
Mister Carpenter, who presented the treasurer's recommendation, said the forecast incorporates newly available fiscal 2024 actuals and updated revenue and expenditure estimates. "The district received an increase of about 1000000 dollars in what is called CEP funds," Carpenter said, referring to Community Eligibility Provision funds that allow the district to offer free lunches to all students. He cautioned that "the general fund is going to have to subsidize some of the cafeteria as a result," estimating the district "might have to transfer around $300,000 from the general fund into the cafeteria to cover those expenses." The board approved the forecast by roll call vote.
Carpenter also identified rising employee benefit costs as a pressure on future budgets. He said the district saw an "average approximate 12%" increase in health care costs last year and that the forecast uses a projected 8% annual increase for fiscal years 2027–2029, reflecting discussions with the district's third‑party consultant.
During discussion board members clarified that the agenda items on the table were separate motions: (a) approval of the five‑year forecast and (b) a request for an extension to the state auditor's office to file GAAP reporting for fiscal year 2024. The board separately approved the request for an extension by roll call.
The meeting also included motions to enter executive session to consider personnel and other matters; those motions carried and the board announced it later returned from executive session. The meeting concluded with an adjournment vote.
The forecast and the approved request for a GAAP filing extension will be transmitted to the Ohio Department of Education and the state auditor's office, respectively. No formal personnel actions were announced on the public record during this meeting.
