FRLS general fund is strong

FORT RECOVERY — While its level of state funding is still uncertain, Fort Recovery Local Schools’ general fund is in good shape.
The school system saw its general fund balance increase by more than $600,000 in fiscal year 2015, treasurer Lori Koch told Fort Recovery School Board at its Tuesday meeting.
The board also set preschool tuition rates and heard an update from new superintendent Justin Firks, who officially took the position July 13.
The general fund closed fiscal year 2015, which ended June 30, with a balance of $3.76 million. That’s up nearly $610,000 from the end of fiscal year 2014.
The jump in the general fund came mostly because of increases in income, including a more than $275,000 bump in general property tax revenue. Fort Recovery also had an increase in funding from open enrollment.
“Overall, it was a very good year,” said Koch. “That goes back to the increase in property taxes.
“The income tax ended up coming out a lot better than we thought it was going to. We had those big increases last year. We weren’t projecting that to continue, and it did.”
Fort Recovery’s general fund balance has increased by more than $1 million over the course of the last two fiscal years.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed the state’s new two-year budget July 1, but schools have not yet been notified of how it will impact their funding. Schools were funded this month based on the previous budget, and adjustments will be made as the new budget goes into effect.
Board members Jose Faller, Ginny Fortkamp, Aaron Guggenbiller and Amy Bihn also approved pre-school tuition rates at the same level as 2014-15. For children in the district, those are: $93 for two days a week; $105 for two days a week with alternating Fridays; $118 for three days a week; and $143 for four days a week. Prices increase by about $20 for out-of-district students.
Sixty-five students are currently signed up for preschool, which is down 12 from last year.
Firks told the board technology will be a major topic for teachers at summer inservice, which is scheduled for Monday through July 29. There will be sessions about implementing iPads in elementary grades and use of Google Classroom, as well as working with gifted and special needs students.
“I’m looking forward to a great three days of collaboration with our staff,” said Firks.
In other business, the board, with Dave Hull absent:
•Hired teachers Matthew Kerns and Toby Metzger and classified aide Lisa Huelsman, and approved supplemental contracts for Kerns (Future Business Leaders Association advisor), Maura Gavit (show choir director), Robert Heikamp (fourth grade chair), Laura Snyder (fifth grade chair), Jocelyn Meyer (book club advisor) and Donna Bates (middle school assistant volleyball coach). Also agreed to employ Nancy Abels, Barbara Alig, Janelle Braun, Denise Bruns, Lisa Grieshop, Sheri Grover, Kathleen Heitkamp, Janet Hummel, Alicia Jutte, Kathleen Jutte, Bonnie Kaiser, Sandra Kaiser, Charlene Pearson, Cheryl Perkeybile, Norma Pottkotter, Nancy Reinhard, Barbara Sautbine, Peggy Siefring, Jill Walter, Eileen Wendel and Angie Will as substitute teachers on an as-needed basis.
•Accepted resignations from Kylee Harrmann (RTI Core Team), Emily May (middle school volleyball assistant coach), Norman Leugers (teacher) and Zachary Sudhoff (teacher).
•Approved a contact with T&D Interiors for carpet replacement at Fort Recovery Elementary/Middle School.
•Accepted donations of $3,000 from Fort Recovery Athletic Boosters to the FRHS baseball team and $2,000 from Jim and Mary Wenning to the FRHS volleyball team.
•Heard a reminder from Firks that Ohio School Board Association’s Capital Conference and Trade Show is scheduled for Nov. 8 through 11.
•Approved payments of $3,270.50 to King’s Island and a total of $5,275 to Mercer County Celina City Health Department. Board approval was required because the invoices dated from before the current fiscal year.
•Heard a presentation from Lorri Kaup, who was representing Project Recovery. She asked if the school board would like to add any questions to a survey the village and Project Recovery will be distributing as part of the process of creating a 20-year community plan.
•Transferred $250,000 from the permanent improvement fund to the general fund.