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State aid reduced for most schools

One-time federal stimulus money won’t make up for the losses for most districts.

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By Meagan Engle, Staff Writer Updated 10:34 PM Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Nearly every school district in Butler and Warren counties will see a drop in state aid in the next two years. Estimates released by the state show all local districts but one experiencing a loss of state aid in either the first or second year of the budget, or in both.

At the same time, schools will see an influx of one-time federal stimulus money, which, for the most part, cannot be used to offset the loss of state aid.

“You’re not allowed to just supplant your expenses with that money. You’re supposed to spend that on new programs,” said Carlisle Local Schools Treasurer Jerry Ellender.

Carlisle, Edgewood, Franklin, Lebanon, Springboro and Madison schools will see a drop in state aid of 1 percent the first year of the budget and 2 percent the second, according to state figures, which still must be signed by Gov. Ted Strickland.

Monroe Local Schools will see losses of 1 percent and 1.59 percent in those years.

Middletown City Schools will lose 1 percent of state aid in the first year — estimated at a loss of $283,000 — and will gain 0.75 percent — or $210,000 — in the second.

Middletown Treasurer Lisa Fahncke said she hasn’t yet thoroughly investigated the budget details or how the district will deal with the loss in the first year.

Fahncke and other local treasurers will be attending seminars this month on the new state funding model and federal stimulus money.

As the state budget is examined by the Ohio Department of Education, treasurers will be adjusting their state-required five-year forecasts to reflect the changes of the two-year budget and stimulus money.

Ellender said he understood 50 percent of stimulus money for special education could replace current spending.

“It’s difficult to create a program and add teachers that you may have to turn around and then lay off again in two years,” Ellender said.

“The whole accounting of all these stimulus funds is going to be a pretty significant change for us,” said Madison Local Schools Treasurer Mark Zimov. “It’s just going to be a time-will-tell thing. Every district’s in a unique situation.”

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I saw about $60 more bucks a month in my paychecks that weren't raise related. Don't know where it came from. Was told it was part of the stimulus package. Helped out paying the monthly water bill. No complaining when that happens. More money is a good thing.

Jerky Gerkenheim
3:27 PM, 7/15/2009

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Looks like the County,State and Country is going the same route as Middletown we just got a head start.Did any one really expect obama to save us from this mess.Where did all the stimulus money go? Did you or any one you know benefit from it? Myself Im still as poor as ever,makes me wonder who really has the trillion dollars or so that obama was bailing us all out with.

fedup
9:46 AM, 7/15/2009

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Reduced state funding for the schools? Look out Middletown residents, here comes the barrage of operating levies from our inept performing school system.

Jerky Gerkenheim
7:27 AM, 7/15/2009

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