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Groveport Madison finances on solid ground for next three years
(by Rick Palsgrove, Southeast Editor - May 19, 2009)
The passage of Groveport Madison Local Schools' operating levy in May means the district will remain on the positive side of the financial ledger until at least 2013.
The approved 9.36 mill, three year levy will generate $7.7 million annually beginning in January 2010.
According to the district's new five year financial forecast (which includes the funds to be generated by the recently approved levy) Groveport Madison will be on the plus side financially by $941,541 in 2009; $2.7 million in 2010; $3 million in 2011; and $197,061 in 2012. But by 2013, when the levy is due to expire, the district could be in the hole by $4.3 million if the revenue stream dries up.
"To see numbers out there in the black for three years is a relief," said Groveport Madison Treasurer Anthony Swartz at the May 18 Groveport Madison Board of Education meeting.
Swartz added the district still does not know what to expect in the way of funding from the upcoming state budget. He said the new five year forecast was based on "the best information available today."
Superintendent Scott McKenzie thanked the voters and the levy campaign committee, and noting the fall out from cuts due to levy failures at South-Western City Schools and Reynoldsburg Schools, stated, "We are certainly fortunate to have such a caring and proactive registered voter constituent."
McKenzie added, "There is something fundamentally wrong when there has to be winners and losers when children are involved. This past election has more intensely confirmed my convictions that our school funding system in Ohio is broken and, until it is completely fixed, the scenes that we see on TV will be played out somewhere each time elections roll around."
McKenzie said Groveport Madison will fulfill its pledge to trim $1.4 million from its budget
Once funds from the levy become available in 2010, McKenzie said the district "...will begin to purchase textbooks...and will also improve our technology offerings, and work to lower class sizes especially in the primary grades.
Business manager
McKenzie told the board the district has narrowed down a list of 50 candidates to three finalists who could be hired as a business manager to oversee transportation, facilities, food service, and technology. The annual salary for the proposed position has not been determined.
"The rationale for the position is to bring an individual with business experience into our district in order to obtain the best practices that are implemented in the business sector and bring that mindset to our schools," said McKenzie.
Board members Duane Dailey and Naomi Sealey questioned the need and expense of the potential hiring.
"We just passed a levy," said Dailey. "We have to watch what we're doing."
Sealey said she'd like the district to look into more cuts before hiring a business manager.
Board member Mary Tedrow said she believes a business manager could actually "help us find cuts."
Added McKenzie, "It would be money well spent. It would save money in the long run."
Cruiser Stadium to host Fire
The Columbus Fire, a minor league semi-pro football team which plays in the Mid-Continental Football League, will play its home games this summer at Groveport Madison High School's Cruiser Stadium.
The league, which has 11 teams throughout the Midwest, plays its games on Saturday evenings from late June through September.
Groveport Madison will receive the profits from parking fees and concessions at the games. The Fire will also pay a rental fee for the stadium of $210 per hour if less than 350 are in attendance; or $175 per hour if more than 350 are in attendance at the game.
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