BELOIT — West Branch Treasurer Adam Fisher presented information on the district’s financial outlook in the board of education’s October meeting. 

While the district’s three-year financial forecast was approved in an Oct. 14 special meeting, Fisher gave a presentation discussing the district’s finances in more detail in its Oct. 21 meeting. Fisher explained that with the approval of House Bill 96, school districts are now required to submit a three-year forecast which covers exclusively the projections for the district’s General Fund for the current year and the next three rather than a five-year forecast as in years past. He also explained that while he strives to ensure the forecast is as accurate as possible, it will inevitably become outdated as circumstances develop, especially with pending legislation which could impact the district’s funding. 

The forecast projects a mixed future for the district’s end of year balance, with fiscal year 2026 anticipated to see a slight increase from 2025’s final balance of $5,910,039 to a projected carryover of $6,052,867. In the next few years, the balance is expected to fluctuate both up and down with projected final balances of $6,058,565 in 2027, $6,072,449 in 2028, $5,837,906 in 2029, and $5,784,560 in 2030. The largest portion of the district’s revenue continues to come from state grants and aid at 52%, followed by property at 26%, while staff salaries and benefits continue to represent the majority of its expenses at 54% and 22%, respectively. 

Fisher said that while the district’s revenues have increased and it continues to seek ways to cut expenditures, the costs of everything have also risen amidst ongoing nationwide inflation. Property tax reforms which would impact public school funding also continue to be discussed at the state level, and a potential constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes in the petition stage to potentially be voted on next November. Fisher said that if property taxes were eliminated, that sales tax would rise across the state, and that rise still wouldn’t be enough to replace the loss in revenue, requiring local income taxes to reach between 13% and 27% to make up that shortfall. He also noted that it would undermine local control by increasing dependency upon the state or possibly county and could lead to the consolidation of local school districts. 

The board also approved several personnel and administrative items. 

Personnel items approved included: the hire of Tutor Maureen Smith, Educational Special Needs Aide Monica Ewing, Recess/Playground Aide Jessica Sanders, Bus Driver Laura Hostettler, and Substitutes Adam Corallo, Brianne Black, Julie Freet, Taylor Evans, Susan Kyser, Cheryl Oblisk, and Kerry Miller for the 2025-2026 school year; non-athletic and athletic supplementals for the 2025-2026 school year; the hire of bus drivers for the 2025-2026 school year; the appointment of Brian Coffee as Superintendent Pro-Tempore; the hire of Mike Helm as a Van Driver on an as needed basis for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Administrative items approved included: pay to participate guidelines for the 2025-2026 school year; an agreement with Community Behavior Consulting for Applied Behavior Analysis services for students with special needs for the 2025-2026 school year; and additions, revisions and deletions of board policies. 

The meeting concluded with an executive session for the discussion of personnel and legal matters with no action to follow. 

The board of education will meet next at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20.