McGuffey School District proposes a 2024–25 budget under $36 million and recommends raising mills to the allowable index

The McGuffey School District administration presented its proposed 2024–25 general fund budget at the May 16 meeting and recommended raising the tax rate up to the allowable index to reduce a projected deficit.

Business administrator Ashley McIl told the board the proposed budget is just under $36 million, a 1.6% increase over last year. Salaries are the largest driver (about 40% of expenditures) and benefits account for roughly 27%. McIl said four positions previously paid with ESSER grant funds will be absorbed by the general fund next year because those grant balances are nearly depleted.

The administration recommended increasing the millage up to the state‑allowed index of 0.94 mills to reduce the district’s reliance on reserves. McIl presented illustrative revenue scenarios: keeping the current millage at 13.93% would produce a roughly $617,000 deficit under current assumptions; raising to the index would lower that gap to about $214,000, preserving more unassigned reserves. McIl also said the governor’s recent homestead/farmstead amount for McGuffey will total just under $1.3 million; passed through to eligible taxpayers (2,944 approved properties), that equates to about $440 per qualified property this year.

McIl described historical cost pressures—rising health insurance (about 9% increase), higher charter and cyber tuition (roughly $1 million annually), and tripled contracted special services with the intermediate unit compared with earlier years—and outlined prior cost‑saving measures (staff reductions in past years, reassessment efforts, contracted service renegotiations). For 2024–25, McIl said staff reductions are not anticipated and the administration expects to create three positions (gifted and talented teacher, learning support teacher, autism support teacher) with neutral net cost effects through reorganization.

Votes at a glance (routine approvals during the meeting):
- Approval of April 18, 2024, meeting minutes (motion carried) — SEG 1450–1454
- Approval of general fund and food service bills (checks listed) (motion carried) — SEG 1460–1467
- Acceptance of treasurer’s report for April 2024 (motion carried) — SEG 1470–1474
- Acceptance of donations: $1,000 from Clayville Business Association and $500 from Washington Automobiles Inc. for playground upgrades (motions carried) — SEG 1520–1530, SEG 1550–1557
- Declaration of obsolete middle‑school textbooks and authorization to dispose (motion carried) — SEG 1558–1566
- Approval of candidate list for 2024 diplomas (motion carried) — SEG 1495–1502

What happens next: The administration asked the board tonight to adopt the final budget; discussion during the meeting focused on the index recommendation and the balancing effect of homestead relief. Final action and any millage decision are on the board’s agenda for the regular meeting follow‑up.