YOUNGSTOWN — School officials have received updated information pertaining to the district’s financial forecast.

During their regular board of education meeting Tuesday at Youngstown Rayen Early College High School, board members heard a presentation from Treasurer Michael A. Rock in which he stated that this fiscal year and the next three have been funded.

Specifically, FY 2026 has $24,295,352 in funds. FY 2027, 2028 and 2029 are funded for $20,698,371, $14,305,431 and $5,104,717, respectively, the report states.

A 9.51-mill emergency levy voters renewed in November 2023 that generates about $5.3 million annually for operational expenses is set to expire in 2029. Those funds are used primarily for utility costs, classroom supplies, transportation and other related expenses.

Because of a major change to the Ohio Revised Code, school districts are no longer able to replace or renew existing emergency levies. The change went into effect last month, something that has been a source of concern for Rock.

Eliminating renewal language and emergency levies likely will place the $5.3 million revenue stream at risk for the district, which we “will have to select a new levy type and place it on the ballot in 2029, with no increase to taxpayers,” he said at a board meeting last month.

“The expiration of the emergency levy and options for replacing this $5 million revenue stream will be vital to the financial horizon in 2029,” Rock said at Tuesday’s meeting.

Also in his report, Rock explained that the financial forecast has fluidity largely because it is based on historical and current trends. Specifically, he noted that payroll costs have decreased from $52.3 million in 2023 to $47.1 million this year, and that for the last three years, state funding has remained relatively stable between $53 million and $56 million.

In addition, property tax revenue has remained at $21 million, Rock said.

A key takeaway from the report is that he and Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor intend to continue to seek ways for the district to save money “while maximizing the educational opportunities for YCSD scholars, utilizing a strategic financial approach for the district,” the treasurer added.

RECOGNITIONS

In other business, the board recognized and handed certificates to the Youngstown Little Bears 9U football team for having won the 2025 Pop Warner Division 2 9U National Championship on Dec. 12 in Charlotte, North Carolina, in which they defeated the West Boynton Wolfpack, a team from Palm Beach County, Florida, 33-0. The victory capped off a season in which the team went undefeated.

The nonprofit Little Bears organization provides football, basketball and cheerleading opportunities to city youth ages 5 to 12.

“They put in hard work, are getting good grades and showing up every day,” head coach Randy Triplett said about the young players.

Batchelor also praised the team, saying it represented the city in a positive light while demonstrating that “greatness can grow right here. … You have lifted the spirit of an entire city.”

ADDITIONAL UPDATES

Also at the session, Stacy Quinones, district spokeswoman, told the board that efforts are continuing to adopt a “One vision, one Youngstown” tagline, with the core component of bringing together students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. It should be fully adopted by the 2026-27 school year, which is when the district will have one high school and one middle school, she said.

Part of that effort is updating the color pattern from white and yellow to red and blue to align with the new Defenders mascot, which is an owl, Quinones said. She noted that the bigger goal is to stress the importance of unity among stakeholders — and with the community as a whole.

Part of the plan also entails honoring the district’s past while embracing its future, she continued.

“It’s to celebrate who we are as a district and as a community,” Quinones said, adding that sessions have been held to glean feedback and suggestions from families, students and staff.

In addition, a name for the owl mascot likely will be announced “in the coming months,” she said.