06/03/2026
Since I work in local government finance, and served on the School Board for 12 years, I have been asked to explain how the district could project a deficit increase from $14 million to $19 million in just a few months.
While I do not think it is appropriate for me to chime-in, I would suggest these questions are the ones you would want answered:
1. What was the deficit projection in the most recent Ohio five-year forecast filed with ODE?
2. What specific assumptions changed between the March and June presentations?
3. How much of the $5 million increase is due to revenue changes versus expenditure increases?
4. Were there new healthcare projections, or staffing decisions that drove the increase?
5. What is the district’s current cash balance and projected year-end carryover?
6. Has the district received any fiscal caution concerns from ODE?
The key issue is not simply that the projection changed. Forecasts change all the time. The important question is whether the district can clearly explain why the projected deficit increased from $14 million to $19 million. If they cannot identify the specific drivers, then concerns about the quality of the Treasurer’s forecasting process become legitimate.
