Property valuation increase could stave off deficit spending 

by Laura Bednar

Nov. 19 board of education meeting

Independence schools Treasurer Jennifer Knapp presented the district’s five-year forecast to the board of education, which learned that expenditures are projected to outpace revenue, but a property tax increase may curb deficit spending for a couple of years.

Revenue in 2025 is predicted to be $22.37 million, rising to $23.58 million in 2029. Expenditures will rise from $22.57 million in 2025 to an expected $25.5 million in 2029. Knapp calculated that there would be a $3.5 million decrease in the district’s cash balance by 2029. 

The only year with no deficit spending is 2026, which Knapp said is when the district will begin to receive taxes based on property reappraisals in 2024.

“Preliminary data from the county shows a 25% increase in property value from the reappraisal,” said Knapp, adding that there was a decrease in property tax revenue in fiscal year 2024-25 because of $1.4 million in unanticipated taxpayer refunds.

Other revenue is expected to increase in 2025, primarily due to a one-time tax increment financing payment of $1.2 million. TIF payments are the result of taxes on new development within the city. The school district receives the full value of its share of property taxes; the city’s share is used for public infrastructure.

Ohio uses the “Fair School Funding Plan” to calculate how much state aid is given to a district, based on student population, property valuation, personal income of district residents and historical funding. For fiscal year 2025, the district is projected to receive $844 per pupil.

An increase in employee salaries and benefits is the largest contributing factor to the rise in expenditures. Knapp noted an increase in medical coverage and general costliness of services like utilities, instructional personnel and the district’s new curriculum adoption.

According to Knapp, “The reappraisal is providing modest revenue growth to our district in the short term. This allows the district to curb deficit spending in fiscal year 2025 and possibly not return to deficit spending until fiscal year 2027.”

However, the district must create a plan to address deficit spending in fiscal years 2028 and 2029. The plan would likely include how to keep students in the district, as Knapp predicted a decrease in enrollment each year of the forecast.

Positive presentation

Independence Primary School students talked about the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program, which awards students for exhibiting positive behavior. IPS Counselor Brooke Gradert said the goal is to “foster intrinsic motivation to get our students to want to do the right thing.” 

When students perform positive acts, such as helping a fellow student or being role models in class, they earn points. For students who earn 100 points, the school holds quarterly parties, with themes like a glow-in-the-dark party and a demonstration from BMX bicyclists. Gradert said two students are chosen every month to receive a golden ticket for good behavior. Those students are given a token to use at the school’s book vending machine and are treated to a pizza lunch.

Each student uses the school’s IPride Kid pledge as a blueprint for how to behave: “I’m positive, respectful, dependable, empowered.”

Military recognition

Superintendent Kelli Cogan honored district staff and family members of staff who have served in the armed forces. The following veterans or active duty military members were recognized: band director Michael Greene, Army National Guard; School Resource Officer Jim Green, Army; Alan Cannon, Marine Corps; Bob Wagner, Army; Eric and Jeralynn Sheets, active Army National Guard members; Tim Sidor, Air Force; Robert Lamka, Air Force; Robert Kalman, Navy Reserves; John Vecchio, Navy; Casey Adams, Independence High School class of 2024, current Army cadet at West Point; Anthony Presot, IHS class of 2020, current senior cadet at West Point.

Cogan said it was Greene’s idea to recognize military members. “It’s a great way to honor our staff and their relatives, I hope this becomes an annual tradition,” she said.

Voucher lawsuit

The board discussed joining the Vouchers Hurt Ohio initiative of the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding. The coalition brought a lawsuit against the state over the EdChoice voucher program, which provides students from designated public schools the opportunity to attend private schools through state funding. 

Of the 611 school districts in Ohio, Cogan said 200 have signed the coalition. She added that the state supports vouchers by using money allocated for public education. Cogan said there were 93,159 applicants for the vouchers and 89,794 received full or partial funding. Students already attending a private school are also eligible for vouchers to supplement tuition.

It would cost Independence schools $2,000 to join the lawsuit. Board member Lynne Laski said some parents said the district should join the suit. Board Vice President Carrie Sears said she wanted to review the negatives of joining the suit. Board member Katie Hill worried how the community would react to spending money to sue, especially if the board asks voters to pass a levy.The board tabled the discussion for a future meeting.