Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at August 24th's Board of Education meeting. Below are brief summaries of the most significant discussions. For those interested in the full details, we've included links to longer articles where appropriate.
Five-Year Financial Forecast
Treasurer TJ Cusick delivered the district's revised five-year forecast, and the short version is that Worthington is financially healthy today but begins spending more than it collects next fiscal year. Revenue is going flat while expenses rise about 4% to 5% a year. The forecast arrived in August rather than its usual November slot because the state gave county budget commissions new authority to roll back tax rates, including voter-approved school levies (via house bill 309). Cusick does not expect Worthington to be affected, but the earlier deadline means several key figures are still estimates, including the fall payroll, enrollment, and the next property-tax settlement.
The larger concern is the state's shrinking role in school funding. The state historically covers around half of a district's costs, but because it did not raise the funding inputs in the latest budget, its share has slipped into the 30s statewide. Worthington is now at the 10% minimum-funding floor, receiving less than $900 per student. Cusick also pushed back on the message that Ohio is sending record money to schools: while the total rose, traditional public districts saw only about a 1.5% increase, with the largest gains going to scholarship programs. With inflation running at 3% to 4%, the district makes up the difference locally.
Looking out ten years and assuming no new levies, this is the last year the district collects more than it spends. Deficit spending starts next year at roughly $8 million and grows to about $9 million annually, though the cash reserve holds until around 2031. Cusick made the case for planning a levy well before then rather than waiting until the reserve runs thin and a much larger levy is needed. Board members signaled that levy conversation is coming and discussed how other Ohio districts are turning to income taxes as property-tax pressure grows. Rising health-insurance costs, possible state property-tax changes, and teacher-pension contribution increases are the main risks Cusick flagged.
In Other News
- A strong start to the year. Superintendent Trent Bowers reported an outstanding opening week, with roughly 10,700 students expected and all pre-K through 12 students in school by August 27. At the annual staff convocation, the district focused on what "Be Kind to Kids" means this year: holding students to high expectations while showing real belief in their growth. Bowers expands on that theme in his blog post, Be Kind to Kids.
- Patience on the fields. After an unusually wet August, the district's landscape team is spending far more time than normal mowing, so community members using elementary fields for youth sports may notice longer grass. Staff asked for patience as they catch up.
- Kilbourne baseball and softball. The board approved a housekeeping resolution tying previously approved funding for Worthington Kilbourne High School baseball and softball improvements to the project's construction documents. The action does not change the cost.
- Donations to the schools. The board accepted a round of donations on its consent agenda, including one from a local Dairy Queen.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m. — Next Board of Education meeting at the Worthington Education Center, covering House Bill 96 (previously discussed here, attendance changes, and the Stay in the Game partnership.
- Monday, Sept. 28 — Board of Education meeting at the Worthington Education Center, presenting 2025-26 student achievement results.
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Thanks for reading this summary of the Board of Education meeting, you can watch the original full video here.