Sycamore Taxpayer

   The Sycamore board wanted to show the voters they were efficient and fiscally responsible prior to the expiration of the 5.5 mill temporary tax levy in 2009. They decided to hold total expenditures flat at about $71 million annually (FY07, 08, 09), while pubically announcing a 2 1/2 percent cap on spending increases. They accomplished this by delaying building/grounds maintenance, computer purchases and temporarily cutting back on the number of staff members, while still paying wage and benefit increases dictated by a punitive union contract.

   The number of full-time-equivalent employees was reduced by 10.6 in FY06 and another 22.9 in FY07. Since then, during the last two years, 40 additional workers were added despite a dreary economic environment and steady enrollment. Last year Sycamore spent more dollars per student than 107 of the 116 top rated “Excellent with Distinction” districts in Ohio.

   Now, the district forecasts a huge $4.5 million increase in first year total expenditures of a five year budget. When asked about this planned increase, the Sycamore’s administration, in consort with board president Ken Richter, responded with the following statement. You will notice that there was no mention of the school workforce manipulation and its impact.

“As a follow up to your question about the variance in the district’s forecast line 5.05 (Total Expenditures and other financing uses) for the 2009-10 school year (FY2010). The change from the past approach to forecasting is the increase to the allocation for capital improvements of an additional $2 million per year. The following are excerpts from the five year forecast assumptions that address this change:

PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY’S INVESTMENT – FACILITIES/TECHNOLOGY This forecast addresses the need to increase the investment in the district’s facilities. More than ten years have passed since the 1998 bond issue for renovations and additions to the district’s buildings. With over one million square feet of facilities and more than 150 acres of grounds and athletic fields, the district must protect the community’s investment. The district will also address the need to maintain up to-date technology in support of 21st century teaching and learning. The impact of this part of the planning process will be noted later in the assumptions.”

Other Financing Uses (line 5.010): Since FY2006, the Board of Education has allocated at least $1 million per year to fund facility repairs, technology replacement and upgrades as well as bus and vehicle replacement. In Spring, 2008 the Board reviewed a preliminary list of facilities projects that cannot be undertaken within this allocation, such as updates to HVAC systems, restroom renovations, window replacement, etc. Beginning in FY2010, the forecast reflects an increase of $2 million per year for this use and to keep technology infrastructure and equipment up to date. A portion of the district’s cash reserve will be used to fund this investment.”

   Maintenance and buying computers don’t add up to $4.5 million new spending. Hiring 40 additional people since 2007 and continuing to suffer a union contract that is stacked against the taxpayers is where the money is going.