Marion Local: 'It's important that we fight this'

Marion Local treasurer Ryan Goldschmidt warned school board members Monday night of the possible negative impact legislation pending in the Ohio General Assembly could have on school district budgets.

Goldschmidt centered his presentation of the district's five-year financial forecast on several pieces of legislation being debated by legislators. Among the issues under consideration is the overriding of Gov. Mike DeWine's vetoes of sweeping changes in property tax laws. He noted that in addition to the possible override of the vetoes, legislators have taken parts from the bill passed earlier this year and put the language in new bills. House Bill 309 would give county budget commissions the authority to lower property taxes if members deem a levy to be unnecessary or too high. House Bill 129 would result in school districts no longer seeing an increase in property tax revenues when property values rise.

If approved, House Bill 129 would "take our 5.8-mill emergency levy and wipe it out," Goldschmidt said. It would force the district to find another source of funding, such as an income tax, to make up the $2.1 million per year generated by the emergency levy. He said the board would have to make a decision in 2027 on either renewing the levy, if the legislation fails to gain approval, or look for other ways to generate the funds.

"It's important that we fight this," Goldschmidt said. "I don't think people understand what is going to happen," Goldschmidt said, noting it would not only affect schools, but also safety services and other local agencies.

"It's a little worrisome to see what state legislators are doing," board president Randy Bruns said.

During his presentation, Goldschmidt said the state's share of the district's budget will be reduced to 48% next year, down from 49%.

"A lot of the burden is shifted to local taxes," he said, noting he expects the trend to continue.

The Marion Local five-year forecast reflects an increase of total revenues from $13.9 million in fiscal years 2025 to $15.1 million in fiscal year 2030. Expenditures are set at $11.6 million in fiscal year 2025, rising to $14.5 million in fiscal year 2030.

The ending cash balance for fiscal year 2025 is projected at $6 million, rising to $7.3 million in 2030.

Goldschmidt said possible action by the General Assembly makes it difficult to project what the district's financial picture will look like.

"I think this is a best-case scenario," he said of the forecast.

In other business Monday, Superintendent Mike Pohlman said construction crews continue to make progress on the $23.3 million new middle school building. He said Spallinger Millwright Services continues to install steel roof decking to be followed by Cotterman and Company workers finishing the roof. Other work underway includes the laying of the remaining concrete block and pouring the floor for the 2,000-seat gymnasium.

The building is expected to be ready for occupancy at the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

Pohlman said work also continues on the renovation of the track building. The project is being funded by the athletic boosters organization.

The board also:

• was advised by elementary/middle school principal Kelli Thobe that seventh- and eighth-grade career exploration activities have included tours of Tri Star and area industries. It was also noted that parent-teacher conferences will be Oct. 28-30 for the entire school.

• approved an ag science field trip to the national FFA convention in Indianapolis on Oct. 30.

• approved a utility easement agreement between the school district and the village of Chickasaw.

The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 10 in the former high school media room.