Forecast projects schools might be off ballot until 2014 - Other Community News - Ohioans for Responsible Rural Development

Pickerington Times-Sun
Published October 18, 2011

By Janet Thiede

The Pickerington Local School District financial picture is a little bit healthier now.

That was the news the PLSD Treasurer Dan Griscom gave the board of education and others who attended a meeting Monday, Oct. 10.

In discussing the district's five-year forecast, a mandatory state exercise twice a year, Griscom told the meeting that the "two-prong approach"-- significant amount of budget reductions and passage of the levy in August is helping.

This year the district will be spending approximately $90.2 million to operate the schools -- less than it spent in 2009.

"At this time last year, the forecast showed we would spend $105.8 million," Griscom stated.

"We have reduced expenses by $15.6 million over the past year," he added.

Based on the current five-year forecast, the treasurer predicts the district budget to remain relatively healthy through June 2015.

"If all goes well, we should be able to stay off the ballot until the calendar year of 2014," Griscom said.

At that time, the forecast predicts the district to be under the budget weather by nearly $4.4 million.

However, several factors can contribute to its ill health before that time.

While the district is asked to make a five-year budget projection, state funding for education is deliberated by the legislature every two years.

Also, the funding formula for schools is currently under review and could impact the district's budget negatively or positively as early as next July.

According to Griscom, the revised funding formula is expected to be announced by the state sometime this month, which might necessitate the five-year forecast being revised next month.

Read the full story on The Pickerington Times-Sun website.