Warrensville Heights board approves five-year forecast and starts levy renewal process

Warrensville Heights City Board of Education — The board voted unanimously to approve the district's May 2024 five-year forecast and to declare it necessary to renew an existing emergency levy, actions the treasurer said are required steps under state rules and county certification procedures.

Doctor Rock, the district treasurer, told the board that all five years in the forecast are funded under current assumptions and that the district is projecting to spend within current resources. He highlighted two lines he said board members watch closely: line 15.01 (unreserved fund balance) and line 6.01 (excess of revenues over expenditures), explaining that maintaining line 6.01 supports a positive carryforward in line 15.01.

Rock described a temporary "hiccup" with abatement payments tied to Eaton, saying a recent property valuation revision reduced expected abatement receipts and shifted timing; he reported staff met with Eaton and the issue is now "ironed out" with expected payments more likely in July.

The board then approved the May forecast on a 4–0 roll-call vote. Board President (presiding) recorded the vote as "motion passes 4 to 0." Later in the meeting the board approved a resolution to begin certifying the renewal of the district's emergency levy to the county fiscal officer, with the treasurer and staff stating the renewal would not increase taxpayers' bills and that a second certification resolution is expected in June; that resolution also passed 4–0.

Why it matters: The forecast and levy process frame the district's budgeting and capacity to maintain staffing and programs. Rock emphasized that the forecast shows the district returning to pre-pandemic staffing levels by 2025, and that strategic use of ESSER funds helped preserve positions while revenues from state formula changes and abatement timing affect near-term cash flow.

The treasurer also accepted a regional award recognition at the meeting, and the board expressed appreciation for his office's work. The forecast approval and the first levy certification step were the most significant fiscal actions taken; the board will see the second levy resolution in June and continue to monitor abatement receipts and state funding phases.