Strongsville Schools says the $74M reserve figure is wrong — here's the real number

Letters to the EditorStrongsville schools push back on financial claims ahead of levy voteNorman Lange’s Oct. 3 letter (“Strongsville schools seek a levy despite reserves”) misstates Strongsville schools’ finances and wrongly suggests another levy will be needed next year.The district does not have $74 million in projected reserves. After transferring $21.9 million from Fund 070, the general fund balance is $59.6 million. Moving existing money between funds does not solve our ongoing budget shortfall.Without Issue 9, the district projects a negative $27.5 million cash balance by fiscal year 2030. With Issue 9, it projects a positive $25.5 million balance.The board’s “Plan to Protect Our Core” combines approximately $5 million in spending reductions with Issue 9 revenue to support operations for five years. Issue 9 is a five-year levy. Our plan does not anticipate another operating levy next year.Explaining potential cuts is not threatening voters. It is explaining what happens when funding cannot support current educational programs and services. Voters deserve to understand the consequences of both passage and failure.Please review the facts at SCSMustangs.org/issue9. I sincerely hope we have earned voters’ understanding, trust, and a “yes” vote on Issue 9.Laura Wolfe-Housum, StrongsvilleThe writer is president of the Strongsville School Board.