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Board hears year-end finance report as state funding shifts, special-education costs rise
Summary
The district treasurer told the Wooster City Schools board the district moved into the state—s funding "guarantee" during fiscal 2026, cutting foundation payments about $500,000 and leaving the district covering a larger share of rising catastrophic special-education costs; an updated forecast will be presented next month.
The Wooster City Schools treasurer told the board the district moved into the state—s funding "guarantee" during fiscal 2026, producing a roughly $500,000 shortfall relative to earlier expectations and reducing both unrestricted and restricted foundation funding.
"When you look at where we ended the year compared to the forecast, it's ... kind of alarming," the treasurer said, citing lower foundation payments and changes in monthly state calculations tied to EMIS data reporting.
She said catastrophic special-education reimbursements fell to about 25% of the district—s reported excess costs this year, compared with roughly 34% last year, while the district—s catastrophic costs increased — adding roughly $200,000 per month in April, May and June. "We only got 25% of our actual cost," she said, noting the state divides a limited pool among reporting districts.
The treasurer also reported a near doubling of college-credit-plus expenses, from about $70,000 to $144,000, which contributed to a worse-than-expected variance in June. "It was about $70,000 more than what we expected," she said.
Board members asked whether the move to the guarantee happened earlier than anticipated and whether the district is financially responsible for students placed outside the district. The superintendent explained the state formula considers property values, local income and enrollment; because the district—s enrollment is flat and property-value factors are higher, the district—s funding classification shifted.
On responsibility for students placed elsewhere, the superintendent said court or foster placements, homelessness or certain IEP team determinations can make the district the financially responsible party even when the student attends another district or facility. "Sometimes it's a foster court placement or a homeless situation ... in some capacity, either the court or through law, we are still responsible for the student," she said.
The treasurer told the board she will bring an updated multi-year forecast at the next meeting to show where fiscal 2026 closed and to project fiscal 2027 and beyond. The board approved the treasurer—s consent items by voice assent.
Next steps: the treasurer will present the revised forecast next month to show updated projections and the board will review implications for budgeting and potential cost-control measures.
