Beachwood City Schools Expect Further Revenue Decrease

The Beachwood City Schools Board of Education will consider an amendment to the district’s five-year forecast that decreases its expected revenue by $1.5 million by 2015.

Michelle Mills, district treasurer, said that the reductions are rooted in a few factors, including budget cuts from the state and lower-than-expected real estate tax collections.

The original forecast, published in October 2010, called for a 9 percent decrease in revenue; the amendments pull that up to 10 percent.

By 2015, the district expects a 13 percent increase in expenses down from the 26 percent increase forecasted in October. The biggest costs to the district, as to most others, are payroll and benefits. 

Mills noted that because of falling state and tax revenue, some of the 15 staffers resigning or retiring this year will not be replaced.

Ohio public school districts are required by law to approve the five-year budget forecast by Oct. 31 of each fiscal year, and any amendments have to be approved by the Board of Education by May 31.

Earlier this year Beachwood Patch reported that which has been accelerated, and that is outlined in Kasich’s budget plan.

Mills added that enrollment is the first factor the schools take into account for budget forecasting, and those numbers are not yet finalized for next year.