FR finances healthy

FORT RECOVERY — Finances are looking healthy for the next few years.

That’s the message treasurer Deanna Knapke shared with Fort Recovery School Board during the board’s five-year financial forecast Monday.

Fort Recovery Local Schools is projected to finish fiscal year 2023 — it ends June 30 — with a budget surplus of more than $1.1 million, bringing its year-end cash balance before encumbrances to more than $9.2 million. (That’s an increase of $326,755 from projections made in November.)

The school district’s trend of budget surpluses is now expected to continue until 2027, with the forecast projecting Fort Recovery Local Schools will finish fiscal years 2024, 2025 and 2026 with budget surpluses of $578,413, $412,554 and $86,222, respectively.

Knapke explained revenues are expected to increase from November’s forecast, with expenditures landing mostly on target with the former predictions. She noted the level of uncertainty with five-year forecasts and pointed to legislative changes — projected increases in appraised values and local taxes as well as state officials’ budget discussion about the Fair School Funding Plan, which is allocated for education and makes up 54% of the district’s revenue — that may impact the financial outlook for schools in the near future.

Fort Recovery Local Schools has also cut down on approximately $1 million in expenditures in the past three years for technological, curriculum and supplies by utilizing Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds allocated by the federal government through coronavirus relief bills.

“Throughout the five-year forecast, we have a healthy cash balance, and that’s just using the assumptions that I have at this time,” said Knapke. “It always can change depending on how our state funding works out and our expenditures work out.”

Also Monday, the school board hired Laura Brandt as the new principal at Fort Recovery Elementary. Her official contract begins Aug. 1. (She will be working on a personal service contract from June 1 through July 31 as needed during the transition from principal Kelli Thobe, who accepted an offer to take over as principal of Marion Local Elementary/Middle School.)

A resident of St. Mary’s, Ohio, Brandt has worked in education for 23 years in various roles in Columbus City and with Celina City Schools. She spent the past two years as a literary coach for teachers in Celina.

Brandt took an interest in the principal role to be more involved in students’ growth.

“I just thought I would love to be a part of the leadership that helps take our kids from where they need to be, just to see all the working parts and to help our kids … in the system’s capacity,” she said.

She said she’s looking forward to meeting the staff and students.

“The few (people) I have met so far have been just so welcoming and warm, and I love to work with students anyway, and it just seems like the staff here is the same way,” she said. “I can’t wait to just collaborate and jump in together.”

In other business, school board members Anne Guggenbiller, Sean Kahlig, Nick Wehrkamp, Don Wendel and Jake Knapke:

•Heard about various activities planned for the last few weeks of school, which include Fort Recovery High School’s Seniorfest on Friday afternoon and graduation ceremony starting at 2 p.m. Sunday as well as Fort Recovery Middle School’s talent show Monday and its 5K run and health fair Tuesday.

•Learned about the high school’s career exploration class, a requirement for all students in order to prepare them for a future career by creating professional binders full of their achievements and taking advantage of internship opportunities and career-related field trips.

•Approved contracts with West Central Ohio Assistive Technology Center and Mercer County Health Department.

•Hired or renewed contracts with several employees, including Anna Westgerdes as a fourth grade teacher.