FR forecast shows surplus

FORT RECOVERY — A significant budget surplus is expected for local schools in 2017 before reductions in revenue lead to projected deficits in future years.
Fort Recovery School Board on Tuesday reviewed and approved its five-year financial forecast, which projects a 2017 budget surplus of $838,062.
The board also learned about student Isaac Burkhardt’s Eagle Scout project to create an outdoor classroom/lunch area in the courtyard that sits in the center of the Fort Recovery High School building and got an update on enrollment.
In her financial forecast, treasurer Lori Koch projects Fort Recovery Local Schools will see a 2017 increase in state funding, which makes up more than 50 percent of revenue. Slight increases in general property tax and public utility personal property tax are also expected, while income tax, state vocational funding and property tax are expected to see slight decreases.
The result is the projected surplus, which would give Fort Recovery an ending cash balance of $5.65 million at the close of fiscal year 2017. (The fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.)
That would continue a trend that saw Fort Recovery record surpluses of about $610,000 in 2015 and $800,000 in 2016.
Projections beyond the current fiscal year show budget deficits, starting with $10,000 in 2018 and increasing through 2021. Those numbers are based on projected drops in property tax and state funding.
Board members Jose Faller, Ginny Fortkamp, Aaron Guggenbiller, Mitch Ervin and Mike Grube approved the forecast, which must be turned in to the state by the end of the month.
Burkhardt told the board about his Eagle Scout project, which involves laying pavers and adding shrubs to the FRHS courtyard area to make it more functional.
Pavers would run along the walls of the building, creating a seating area for students to do schoolwork or gather for lunch. The project would also include adding a fence around existing air conditioning units.
The retail cost as estimated by Steve Stone of Nature’s Green is about $23,000, Burkhardt said. Because of discounts and donated labor, Burkhardt, who is currently in the fundraising process, hopes to complete it for about $10,000.
He estimated maintenance for the school to amount to about an hour a month for trimming shrubs.
Board members complimented Burkhardt on the effort. He will work with superintendent Justin Firks on selecting colors for the pavers to best match the FRHS building.
Firks also presented the board with a review of Fort Recovery enrollment numbers from 2008 through this year. It shows that enrollment for that period peaked at 967 students in 2011-12 and then was on a steady decline to 896 students last year. Enrollment increased to 905 students this year.
Individual class numbers illustrate the pattern of decline. Enrollment in elementary grades is as follows: fifth – 80; fourth – 74; third – 69; second – 66; first – 64; and kindergarten – 57.
Figures also show Fort Recovery gains an average of 22 students per year via open enrollment, including 32 this year.
In other business, the board:
•Hired Sean Kahlig as assistant high school boys basketball coach after accepting his resignation as seventh grade boys basketball coach, Anthony Homan as a bus driver and custodian and Angie Homan as a substitute teacher on an as-needed basis; and accepted the resignation of Lori Collins as a non-certified employee.
•Heard a presentation from elementary school students about their spring trip to Chicago. It included visits to Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, Willis Tower, exhibits about architect Frank Lloyd Wright, a river cruise and a Medieval Times dinner show.
•Approved policy changes involving open meetings, email, teacher evaluation and a variety of other topics.
•Recognized the volleyball team for its success this year. The team is 14-8 and will host Riverdale today in the sectional tournament.
•Approved additional appropriations for a Title III grant and to host at least one match of the OHSAA volleyball tournament. (The Indians will host the championship match Saturday if they win tonight.)
•Moved its next board meeting to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 22. It was previously scheduled for Nov. 15, which conflicts with Ohio School Board Association’s Capital Conference.
•Accepted donations of $250 from Wangler Hardware to the athletics department and $200 from Jill and Dave Evers to the high school cheerleaders.
•Approved a field trip for fifth grade gifted students April 27 and 28 to Chicago.