Benjamin Logan Board of Education members took a detailed look at the district’s five-year forecast at their Monday evening meeting, which shows positive year-end cash balances predicted through June 30, 2024.
Treasurer Jennifer Sudhoff said with the state’s new House Bill 110 that begins in December, it appears that the district will be fairly flat-lined in its state funding.
“It doesn’t look like we’ll be receiving any new funds, but at the same time, we’re thankful that it doesn’t look like we’ll have any big losses,” she said about the state funding projections.
According to the forecast, the district is predicted to end this fiscal year with a cash balance June 30 of $3,778,896; the following fiscal year 2023 with a cash balance of $2,736,626; and fiscal year 2024 with a cash balance of $1,518,652.
The treasurer said for fiscal years four and five, the projections are very difficult to make, with the state funding announcements rolled out on a two-year basis.
Sudhoff related that the district continues to examine its deficit spending pattern, which has been ongoing since 2018. Various budget cuts have been recently put in place, including not replacing some retired personnel, and she and Superintendent John Scheu continue to study where other reductions can be made.
At the same time, pandemic-related Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds have provided a financial boost since the district can make certain purchases and building improvements without having to use the general fund.
For example, last month, the board approved ESSER funded projects for the installation of a break room door in the bus garage to improve air quality in that area; and also an agreement for electrostatic spraying, or “fogging” district classrooms and buses to combat COVID-19. Next month, the district also is looking at utilizing ESSER funds for a roofing project as well, which will be presented to the board.
Another revenue source that has not yet been incorporated in Ben Logan’s five-year forecast is windmill funds.
“The windmill revenues are a bit of a ‘wild card’ right now; we don’t know what’s coming in or when,” the treaurer said. “At the earliest, we are hearing that it would be at least one year after the windmill farms were started.”
Also during the meeting, members honored high school senior Sydney Wesson for her many golf team and individual accomplishments. She is a four-time state tournament qualifier, and this year, she received fifth-place overall at the OHSAA State Tournament and a First Team All-Ohio Award. She has set individual school records and also records at area golf coures.
Sydney was named a CBC Player of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
In other action, the board:
• accepted the resignation of Holly Mays, middle school teacher, effective Nov. 10;
• extended one-year limited contracts for the following new hires: Linda Frantz, middle school teacher, effective Nov. 11; and Kyle Boylan, custodian, effective Nov. 8;
• accepted the supplemental contract resignation of Darrin Reese for elementary school art club;
• approved the following Home Instruction Tutors to be paid per hour/per timesheet at a rate of $24 per hour for the 2021-2022 school year: Jaclyn Atherton, Morgan Dixon, Amy Evans, Leslie Everett, Kara Gillman, Dawn Gibson, Marleen Godsey, Raechel Noble, Rob Painter, Tori Purk, Abbey Shields, Matt Smith and Robert Wolf;
• approved the ESC substitute list for the 2021-2022 school year at the rate of $105 per day, effective Oct. 18;
• approved the revised substitute rates for fiscal years 22 to 24;
• approved the fund transfer of $477,651.98 from Fund 003 to Fund 002 for the principal and interest payments on district loans; and
• accepted the donations of laptops and chargers donated by Ohio Hi Point Career Center for use district-wide use.
The next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at the central office.