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Hamilton board signs off on routine year‑end finance items and $2 million special‑education contract
Summary
The board approved routine year‑end finance measures including a temporary FY27 appropriation, discussed a $2,000,000 contract for placed‑out special‑education services and heard warnings that the district cannot absorb another $10 million in cuts without harming students.
The Hamilton City School Board approved routine year‑end fiscal items and a temporary fiscal‑year‑2027 appropriation, and discussed a $2,000,000 contract to secure placed‑out special‑education services.
Treasurer/board presenter Mr. Fraser told the board that the accounting year runs July 1 to June 30, that the board must adopt a temporary FY27 appropriation and that permanent appropriations will be completed by Sept. 30 under Ohio budget law. Superintendent Andrea Blevins highlighted several agenda items to expect, including a purchase of a nine‑passenger bus using permanent improvement dollars and the $2,000,000 contract for Warren County Educational Service Center to serve students placed out of district.
Board member Dr. Joe Copas warned that the district had cut roughly $10,000,000 from its budget and that “we don’t have another $10,000,000 that we can cut,” urging voters to consider candidates’ positions on public education in the upcoming election. Copas said personnel changes and other adjustments were made to try to minimize classroom impacts, but added that any additional cuts would be painful.
The board moved and seconded the human resources agenda and the consent agenda; both motions carried on roll‑call votes. The finance agenda, including year‑end advances and treasurer reports, was presented and approved on a voice/roll call consistent with routine year‑end procedure.
The superintendent noted that federal allocations had arrived earlier than usual and that some purchases (for example, curriculum renewals and mental‑health vendor memorandums of understanding) are funded from federal and grant buckets where possible to protect the general fund. The board scheduled its next meeting for Friday, July 10 at 533 Dayton Street.
What’s next: Board members said permanent appropriations and more detailed budget numbers will be available by September, and the district plans to continue seeking external funding sources to limit pressure on the general fund.
