Reynoldsburg schools' financial picture still in limbo after cuts

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) -- Reynoldsburg City Schools was in a tough financial situation after its levy failed in November 2024, and it was forced to cut millions of dollars from the operating budget.

While the district’s finances have improved, leaders said they are now facing uncertainty from the Ohio Statehouse.

Lawmakers are looking to override some of the governor’s vetoes from the state budget, like a limit to the amount of cash a district can carry over. Reynoldsburg’s school board discussed this during a special meeting Wednesday.

“I don’t know where we are with some things such as the 20-mill floor, the cash balance,” Reynoldsburg School Board President Angela Abram said. "Property tax, yeah. So those are the three main things that come to mind that I know will have an impact on how the district manages its money going forward.”

District leaders presented the most recent five year forecast, showing the district’s financial situation has stabilized.

The district recently cut $8.5 million from its operating budget, which included laying off 51 teachers, at the end of last school year.

“Because we made the necessary reductions that were recommended by our team, we are in a better place now, so I think it'll be a little while before we would need to go to our voters to ask for additional funding,” Abram said.

Reynoldsburg Treasurer Emily Hatfield said the numbers from the five-year forecast could change depending on what happens at the Statehouse over the next few months.

“It’s really just making sure that everything's lining up the way that we thought it would,” Hatfield said.

Lawmakers and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine have been at odds over how much property tax revenue school districts across the state should receive, especially as home prices rise. For now, at Reynoldsburg schools, it’s time to wait and see.

“We are just trying to do our best with the information we have and we will just continue to make adjustments as needed,” Abram said.

Reynoldsburg Schools has another five-year forecast due in February and leaders hope they’ll have more concrete answers on finances by then.

Abram encouraged community members to reach out with any questions; find contact information for school board members by clicking here.