Marion Local board hears strong financial outlook

MARIA STEIN - The Marion Local School District is expected to see steady increases in revenues accompanied by rising cash balances according to a five-year plan presented Monday night by the district treasurer.

Treasurer Ryan Goldschmidt briefed board members on his projections on the district's future finances. The district is expected to see revenues rise from $13.6 million in fiscal year 2025 to $15.4 million by 2029, according to Goldschmidt. On the expenditure side of the financial ledger, Goldschmidt expects outlays to total $12.4 million in 2025 and increase to $15 million by 2029.

The ending cash balance for 2025 is projected at $10.2 million, with that rising to $12.93 million by 2029.

"The district is remaining financially stable, but with expenditures growing faster than revenue," Goldschmidt wrote in the report. He said the expenditure "most impacting the changing trend is salaries," noting growing enrollment is resulting in the need to add more teachers, and salary increases are also factored into the projections.

Enrollment is expected to rise from 937 students this year to 1,082 by 2029.

Board president Randy Bruns said he was pleased with the district's projected financial position, with substantial ending cash balances each year.

"I think the district has a strong financial condition and it is the result of good planning," Bruns said.

He noted it will be several years before the expenditures could possibly outpace revenues, so the board would have ample time to make changes to address the situation if it arises.

Superintendent Mike Pohlman advised board members that Bruns Construction is expected to move excavation equipment into the site of the new $12.3 million middle school in the near future. Bruns Construction was granted a contract for the excavation during a special board meeting on Friday. Pohlman said the total cost of the excavation, administration and contingency funds was set at $944,758.

"They (Bruns) hope to start moving in the week of Thanksgiving and then start moving dirt the first week of December," Pohlman said. He also noted that a groundbreaking ceremony will precede the excavation work, but the date for the event has not been set.

The new building will house 11 junior high and special education classrooms, an agriculture education suite including two classrooms and a greenhouse, a two-court high school gymnasium with seating capacity of 2,000, kindergarten through eighth-grade cafeteria/commons area, four locker rooms (two of which could serve football programs as well as indoor sport teams) and administrative offices.

Pohlman said plans call for the new building to open for the 2026-2027 school year.

Board members also,

• approved the retirement of Treva Fortkamp as teacher and accepted the resignation of Stephanie Tuente as middle school drama adviser. Angie Niemeyer was hired as a long-term substitute teacher.

• approved the hiring of Sue Bruns as junior class adviser and Ted Jones as girls freshman basketball coach. The board also approved the hiring of Brooke Moeder as a nonteaching substitute. Nathan Bruns and Dustin Seitz were approved as boys basketball program volunteers and Cody Kunkler as swim program volunteer. Jesse Rose also was approved as a girls basketball program volunteer.

• approved payments to Dan Koenig, Kyle Grabowski, TJ Schmidt, Natalie Evers, Cody Kuess, Marilyn Bornholt, Cheryl Lange and Bob Wenning for working at football playoff games.

• approved three Tri-Star expenditures.

• accepted a $200 donation by the Hopewell Grange to the school library.

• approved first reading of a list of school policies.

• heard Pohlman report the annual senior citizens luncheon is set for 1 p.m. Dec. 13. The staff breakfast is slated for Dec. 20. Other upcoming events include the high school band concert on Dec. 16, the third- and fourth-grade Christmas program on Dec. 12-13 and the junior high band and choir performance on Dec. 12.

• heard technology coordinator Michelle Mescher report she participated in data privacy training related to a state bill and attended a cybersecurity seminar.

• heard high school principal Tim Goodwin congratulate new members of the National Honor Society and commend the marching band for earning a superior rating at the recent state marching band contest.

• learned from elementary and middle school principal Jodi Thobe that the recent eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., was a success.

• approved the transfer of $250,000 from the general fund to the capital improvement fund for future capital improvements.

• went into executive session to discuss the employment of a public employee. No action was taken after the brief session.

The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 in the board conference room in the former media room at the high school building.