By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

“Cautiously optimistic” were two of the words used by Bucyrus City Schools Treasurer Ryan Cook as he delivered the five year forecast to the school district’s board of education Thursday night.

Cook noted that the school’s five year forecast largely depends on what comes to the school in the form of state funding, with 72% of the school’s budget being state funded. Cook reported that the first three years of the forecast would be on course; however, by 2019 and 2020 the school would be in deficit spending.

“The first year is just a little bit, but by 2020 it could reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. The next biennium budget will be in then so state funding could be higher. As it stands there is no issue with the balance.”

Cook explained that by making investments the school has made positive strides, however, if state budgets aren’t favorable for the school then reductions will happen.

“It would be small reductions at first,” Cook said. “Then if need be, we would take larger reductions. It is critical to make adjustments to stay off the ballots.”

Cook gave good news in that the investments that the school has made over the past few years will allow for capital outlay to grow from 2016-2020. If the biennium budget is favorable to the school system, more investments to increase capital outlay will be made.

During his report to the board of education, Bucyrus Superintendent Kevin Kimmel announced that the school district’s website now has a calendar of events feature. Kimmel explained that the calendar of events will feature any district activity that is useful to parents or students. Kimmel also commended the senior class’ capstone project presentations that were held Thursday.

“What a wonderful program,” Kimmel commented. “We wouldn’t have been able to do this with Mrs. Showers and the panel of community judges. It was a very good day.”

With mergers taking place with one of the school’s technology providers, Bucyrus discussed the possibility of ending its current contract with Metta Technologies. Currently, Metta is used by the school for tech support, student services and fiscal operations, however, Treasurer Cook explained that with the mergers taking place Metta could go “belly up” which would leave the school at risk.

The board approved all personnel and business items presented on the agenda during Thursday’s meeting.