Lorain — The Board of Education opened its Oct. 13 meeting at Lorain High with Frank Jacinto Elementary students leading the Pledge of Allegiance and sharing October’s themes of responsibility and bullying prevention. Students described being “upstanders, not bystanders,” and the board thanked staff who support the school’s character work. The board then recognized visitors and approved the Sept. 22 meeting minutes on a 4–0 vote.
Julie Garcia, president of the Lorain Education Association, invited alumni to a mixer after Friday’s homecoming game, noted the district’s Titan Shop is open for online orders through Oct. 24, and previewed LEA participation in the Oct. 17 homecoming parade and the Oct. 29 district trunk-or-treat. She also highlighted a Dec. 13 Breakfast with Santa, a March 8 scholarship pancake fundraiser, and levy outreach planned during homecoming.
Treasurer’s forecast: state reductions and new laws tighten revenues while expenses rise. The treasurer presented the district’s updated multi-year outlook, reporting several revenue hits since spring: elimination of supplemental targeted assistance (about $3.5 million per year), the loss of roughly $900,000 in proposed Statehouse funding that did not make the final budget, and reductions tied to county exemptions and new state tax-law changes estimated at about $1.6 million annually when combined. The presentation noted special education threshold reimbursements increased modestly, but overall revenues are projected to slide from about $96.6 million in FY26 to $87.2 million by FY29 while expenditures grow from roughly $115 million to $121 million. Deficit spending is projected each year, with ending cash balances turning negative as early as FY27 absent new revenue and continued cost control. The treasurer warned the district could move through the state’s fiscal caution and watch stages toward fiscal emergency by FY28 if no corrective actions or levy renewals occur. Two renewal levies on the November ballot—one generating about $11 million annually and another about $3 million—were noted as renewals at no new cost to taxpayers; failure could also jeopardize rollback/homestead credits for homeowners if a replacement were needed later under current law.
Donations and community support approved. The board accepted more than $18,000 in community donations, including $5,000 in socks for students in need through Walls of Love, funding from the IAV, American Legion Post 30, and in-kind items from Wee Care Closet, the Great Lakes Science Center, and others.
Personnel actions pass, with a few abstentions. The board approved appointments, resignations/retirements, and a range of leaves. It also approved a USW reduction-in-force eliminating Safety Compliance Officer positions. Supplemental contracts for student clubs, teacher leadership teams (BLT/DLT), PBIS, RTI, gifted and speech services, teacher mentors, athletics and fine arts all passed. Votes included noted abstentions on select personnel items.
Operations approvals touch safety, services, and student programming. The board authorized a NaloxBox partnership with Lorain County Public Health to stage naloxone in schools; “231 GO!” collaboration with six local agencies; a GO BIG BMX assembly tour for elementary schools; a behavioral consultant agreement with the ESC of Lorain County; and professional development with Kent State’s Child Development Center. Other approvals covered a Title I nonpublic pooling agreement for St. Joseph, BurlingtonEnglish software at Lorain High, a Zoom license renewal, photo booth and DJ services for homecoming/prom, a “Wild Hooves Farm” assembly at Garfield, cafeteria pin pads, stadium painting, initial asbestos assessment for the W. Erie Ave. building and Bus Garage, specialized van transportation for a student, fall “Goose Doctor’s” applications at Lorain High and Southview, and districtwide IXL Math for middle schools.
The meeting adjourned after brief board comments and a reminder that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. at the board office.