MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Schools Treasurer Tammy Hamilla presented something rare in this day and age of public school funding.
Hamilla projected an optimistic overview in the form of the district’s latest financial forecast at Tuesday night’s meeting.
School districts are required to submit financial forecasts twice a year to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
In the past, the fall reports were due in October. Hamilla said the state requirements changed and moved due dates back by two months, which means she had to estimate payroll costs for the school year.
It also means the spring forecast will be due before districts receive their final tax settlements — a significant source of revenue that can vary slightly based on local property tax delinquencies.
“(The new timeline) doesn’t work out very well for treasurers and how we do business,” she told the board.
Nevertheless, Hamilla’s projections showed a positive picture of district finances as compared to recent years.
The district cut its operating expenses by nearly $8 million from the 2024-2025 school year to the 2025-2026 school year. The savings came after the district cut dozens of jobs and found a more cost-effective insurance plan.
Those cuts eliminated the district’s deficit. Mansfield City Schools ended its last fiscal year on June 30 with an operating surplus for the first time in years.
Hamilla said she expects the district to continue operating in the black through the next two school years — and even longer if taxpayers are willing to renew an existing levy in 2028.
The levy generates around $7.9 million in annual operating funds.
“Renewing that levy in some form — it is imperative that we do that,” Hamilla said. “We have no plans to go and ask the public for any additional money.”
