Northmont spokeswoman Jenny Wood said the district is currently in a deficit and spending into reserves. The state will not be giving Northmont more money during this budget cycle under the new rules for the state’s share of funding, and inflation keeps driving costs up.
“Without additional revenue, our schools will be in the red by more than $6.9 million by 2026,” Wood said. “The funds generated from the emergency levy will allow the district to maintain our schools’ day-to-day operating costs and educational opportunities.”
According to Northmont’s five-year forecast from last spring, the district has been deficit spending since the 2021-2022 school year. This year, the district expects to spend $6.3 million more than revenue. In 2021-2022, the district reported a $27 million reserve in the bank. But the district anticipates spending through that reserve by 2025-2026, according to the five-year forecast.
No reductions have been approved by the school board as of Oct. 11 if the issue does not pass. Last spring, the district approved closing Englewood Elementary earlier than anticipated, among other cuts, before the ballot failed.
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