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GIRARD -- School officials said they plan to watch their spending in upcoming years as less money from the state will leave the district in a deficit in five years.
School Treasurer Maureen Lloyd presented the five-year forecast with the district. The general fund held $14 million at the end of the 2025-26 school year, but by the end of the 2030-31 school year, the district is projected to face a $3 million deficit.
Board Vice President Joseph Castor said after hearing the projections, officials are concerned as the district is expected to be operating in deficit-spending mode within the next five years, starting in 2027.
He said what will somewhat help the district is replacing retiring staff who make more than their new replacements.
"That will help us with our finances,'' he said.
Castor said financial aid from the state has been declining and will continue to decline while other costs such as salaries and health benefits will continue to increase.
Castor said while the distinct can continue to search for grants those would be used for specific purposes. He noted grants are very competitive to attain.
"We hope that the state will not continue to reduce our funding in the future," he said.
Board President Vincent Ragozine said district costs are increasing by 3% each year while funding from the state continues to decrease by 2% each year.
Ragozine said this does not include any negotiated wage increases for employees.
"We will be financial stewards of the tax dollars,'' said Superintendent Bryan O'Hara.
42 YEARS
In other business, the board accepted the retirement of high school government teacher Joseph Naples who taught for the past 42 years.
He is scheduled to retire in June 2027.
Board members Scott Strain, Castor and Ragozine and O'Hara said they all had Naples as a teacher when they attended Girard schools.
Strain said he remembers being in Naples' class when he was in school and now his daughter has him in class.
"You learned so much in his class and also had fun. I had him for civics. He will be missed. He will always be known as 'Naples the Staple,'" Strain said.
Ragozine said he always looked forward to Naples' class and all that he taught his students in government and history classes.
He said his children have also had Naples as a teacher.
"He demonstrated the qualities of intelligent leadership and a willingness to work with and for the students, the staff and the community," O'Hara said.
He said with 42 years Naples is among the longest serving employees in the district.
"He will be remembered for his legendary career," O'Hara said.
CARE CLOSET
New this year at the PK-6 school building will be a Care Closet to help students as the board entered into an agreement with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley to provide the service.
O'Hara said the United Way has been able to start Care Closets in different schools throughout the Mahoning Valley.
He said the Care Closet will provide needed items for students such as crayons, pens, markers and other materials they may need for class projects.
O'Hara said there will also be school supplies and clothing for children.
Board member Zachary Steiner said there will be hygiene items for students.
He said the closet is supported by local sponsors with the intention of helping students overcome any barriers to their education.
He said those who handle the Care Closet will make sure there are enough items for students.
Steiner said United Way will provide needed clothing.
"If the Care Closet is successful, it will continue and also be at the junior high and high school,'' Steiner said.
O'Hara said the Care Closet is separate from the food pantries.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a second year of providing breakfast and lunch at no cost to students. O'Hara said breakfasts have doubled in the past year and lunches saw a 25% increase. Officials said they wanted to make sure students have access to nutritious meals at no cost.
• Entered into an agreement with the Girard police department for two school resource officers at $67,500 each.
• Approved the sixth-grade field trip to Camp Fitch Nov. 11 to 13 paid by the Parent Teacher Organization.
• Named board member Tammy King as delegate to the annual business meeting of the Ohio School Board Association Nov. 10 in Columbus.
• Approved Amy DiDomeninco as an instructional coach for math and Julie Giess as an instructional coach for language arts and literacy at $40 per hour for seven hours per day, three days per week and 120 days per year.
• Approved Girard Little Indians use of school facilities at Arrowhead Stadium from Sept. 13 to Oct. 18.
• Approved substitute nurses pay at $17.50 per hour.