When the pandemic set in, the five-year financial forecast for Marysville schools took a hit.
A picture that had the district in the black through 2025, darkened as reductions in state payments threatened to shave a year from the financial solvency of the district. But a recent turnaround in the economy, paired with some one-time payments and cost reductions, has put the district back on solid ground through 2025.
At Thursday night’s Marysville Board of Education meeting, Treasurer Todd Johnson updated the recent boost given to the forecast.
About $1 million was withheld from state money earmarked for the district each of the last two years in reaction to the financial downturn caused by the pandemic. But a series of factors has helped offset that amount.
The district saw an increase in real estate taxes of $500,000 this year. Johnson explained that the increase was likely a one year surge created by a large number of delinquencies being paid off. The district also saw an increase of $275,000 based on property tax corrections from the county board of revisions.
An additional one-time payment of $795,000 was received from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation because of surplus funds in its coffers.
The district has also seen two rounds of payments from the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund. The first round saw the district receive almost $300,000 while the second totaled just more than $1 million. Johnson said the third round of ESSER funding should be more than $2 million.
Those infusions of cash have been coupled with cost savings.
Johnson said salary expenditures are down about $960,000 from estimates for fiscal year 2021 because no new positions have been added, an administrative position was absorbed and substitute costs were reduced. He added that the district saw fewer retirements this year as well, meaning severance expenses were less than expected.
In total, Johnson estimated that the district has seen a $3.7-million positive swing in its financial position.
While he said some payroll benefits will stay with the district through the five-year forecast, uncertainty with state budgeting and enrollment growth could negatively impact the picture.
Even with the regained ground, Johnson said the district would likely need to put a levy on the ballot in 2023, two years ahead of where expenditures outpace revenue and cash reserves.
The board was also given an update as various grade levels make plans to provide extra support for students who may have fallen behind during the educational hurdles created by the pandemic.
A video presentation to the board indicated that K-4 students will be challenged with a summer reading program in which they can win prizes. Those needing additional enrichment will be encouraged to attend a camp that meets four days per week for four weeks in June. That camp will provide additional help in reading, writing and science.
Intermediate school students needing assistance will check in with teachers once a week to get programing in math and reading. Incoming fifth and sixth graders will also be encouraged to take part in a targeted boot camp in August which will engage students in their areas of interest, in an effort to give them a jump start ahead of next school year.
During most of the month of June, Bunsold students will be invited to join teachers and peers for half-day programing in reading, writing, math and projects of interest. The Bunsold After School Enrichment team will run the program.
High school students needing to catch up on credits will have an opportunity during a targeted program in June. Students will also be engaged in career based projects, such as resume writing. A bridge program for incoming freshmen will aim to allow ninth graders to hit the ground running in the fall.
Superintendent Diane Allen said students can’t be required to take part in the summer programming, but parents will be strongly encouraged to consider the option. The additional programming will be free to students and transportation and meals will be provided.
Allen also informed the board that a collaboration is being formed with Fairbanks and North Union so that a continuation of the virtual academy program will see the shared resources of the three districts. She said a recent survey has indicated that a number of students would still be interested in the at-home learning option next year.
Allen said curriculum specialists from the districts will come together next week to develop a framework for the program. The superintendent said the plan would likely be a blended learning model where students work from home on certain days, but teachers will be available at the home schools on other days to work individually with students.
Allen said the program would likely be available for students in grades 6-12, as officials would like younger students to learn in classrooms.
In other business, the board:
•Approved the purchase of a replacement boiler for Edgewood Elementary. The Train unit will be purchased from Omnia Partners for $303,821.
•Approved a series of pay rate increase for district personnel for the 2021-22 school year. Certified, classified, administrative and SACC workers will receive a 2.5% increase to their base salary. Also food service support workers will see their pay increased from $10.25 to $11 per hour and food service substitutes will also receive a 75-cent hourly raise to $10 per hour.