GET THE FACTS
Graham Local Schools continue to deficit spend each year. To make adjustments to balance spending versus revenue, the district made over 1 million dollars in cuts for the 2024-2025 school year. Even with the cuts made the district will still be deficit spending. Without additional revenue, additional cuts will continue to be made.
FISCAL CHALLENGES.
Understanding a school budget and its process is a challenge. When the District asks for operating money, it is asking for the funds that have not been otherwise allocated or restricted. Here are some facts that might help.
Graham is asking for a 5 year, 1% earned income tax. It is estimated to raise $2,693,146.00 per year.
This money will be added to the local support for operating the District. State support accounts for approximately 60% of school support. The other 40% is local support including property taxes.
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Graham Local Schools is one of the only districts in the area that does not have a local OPERATING levy for the school district beyond the base collection of real estate taxes and state funding.​​​
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Triad: 1.5% Traditional Income Tax
Urbana: Property Tax for Operating
West Liberty Salem: 1.75 % Traditional Income Tax
Mechanicsburg: 1.5% Traditional Income Tax & 1.96 Mill Emergency Property Levy
Northwestern: 1% Earned Income Tax
Miami East: 1.75% Earned Income Tax
Fairlawn: .75% Traditional Income Tax
Riverside: 1.5% Earned Income Tax
Importantly, voters should know that Graham is on a “guarantee” in the new state funding model. This means that even as state budgets change and some districts will receive more state aid, Graham will not.
By law, all school districts are obligated to produce two financial forecasts each year, approved by the Board and submitted to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce in May and November. These are financial projections very useful to voters as they make informed decisions. For more information on how to read the five year forecast:
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Carryover is always a big subject for Graham or any District trying to be transparent and responsible to its constituents. At the end of the year, Districts need to have carryover funds to operate and meet financial obligations throughout the year. How much is enough?
The District calculates that by answering the question; “How many days could the District operate and make all expenses if no additional money came in?” Good accounting practices indicate that any District should have 60 days carryover. As expenses have risen and revenue has remained constant and even with $1,000,000 worth of cuts, these days are decreasing for the District.
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORTS.
Over the next five years, as many as 30 staff members will be retirement eligible.
The research is clear: more than any other asset a good school system requires good teachers. If students have good teachers, they learn more, and they like school more.
Graham has a long history of great teachers who commit to the District for many years. It is a stabilizing benefit to the entire community when teachers come to Graham and continue their service so that the parents and community come to know them. They become connected with the school and community culture.
When teachers retire or leave, the District must attract worthy replacements. A District that provides for its instructional staff through salary and benefits and through a supportive, friendly work environment can attract the teachers our children need. Otherwise, the teaching pool deteriorates. Some departures are unavoidable as family situations change. But Graham needs to avoid what many Districts experience; teachers come, get early training, and leave to Districts that offer more supports. Graham becomes like a farm system to other Districts. ​
As much as 80% of Graham’s school district budget is in the category of personnel costs. So as income has remained frozen and as expenses have risen, the District must inevitably cut costs in personnel lines. When staff members retire or resign, the District can save simply by “attrition” or not replacing the position. Yet this has not been enough for the District to maintain the cash balance it needs to operate. ​​​​​​​​​​​ Our parents and the community we serve have the right to know what cuts have meant for students. In a changing and ever more complex work world, we all want our students to be as well-prepared as possible. We want our students to have options to meet their unique talents and needs. These opportunities have been reduced.
The most recent cuts have
had these effects:​
Falcon Focus Supports
One of Graham’s strengths came as a direct result of our goal to increase our graduation rate. Falcon Focus was created, a program in which selected students were provided graduation supports early in their high school years giving them through study skills, work completion, and career exploration. With cuts fewer sections of Falcon Focus are available as the FF teacher now
covers core social studies classes.
High School Science Course Offerings
With only three high school science teachers, fewer science courses are available, including limited honors sections and electives.
Middle School STEM Courses
With the reduction of two STEM teachers at GMS, fewer hands-on learning opportunities are available for students. This reduction has also led to larger class sizes and more students placed in study halls, limiting exposure to career pathways and focus on essential soft skills.
Music Course Offerings (K-12)
Graham has a proud tradition in its music program. But the reduction of a music position has resulted in the discontinuation of the 5th Grade Band and fewer music courses available at Graham High School.
High School Spanish
GHS students no longer have the option of taking Spanish. They are now limited to taking German on campus or American Sign Language through Edison State Community College.
Cadet Core
The staff reduction at GHS has eliminated this course, which was a direct pathway to military enlistment.
Online Learning
Online learning is no longer an option for Graham Middle School and Graham High School students. The teacher previously responsible for this program is now teaching
core social studies.
Student, Family, and Community Supports
Many outside of the direct school community did not know that this position existed or its value for our students. The teachers and students did and this was one of hardest cuts to make. The reduction of the Student, Family, and Community Support Coordinator means fewer connections to school and outside resources for at-risk students and families in crisis. The move also reduced guidance supports at Graham High School to support high school students and families.
High School Project Lead the Way - Biomedical Pathway
GHS students no longer have
access to the Medical Pathway courses despite the high demand for careers in the medical field.
High School Life Skills Class
The reduction of a Physical Education teacher at GHS has led
to the discontinuation of this course. It was crucial for teaching students real-life skills for
future preparedness.
Intervention Supports at Graham Elementary School
Intervention staff work with students with special needs by proving small group and one-on-one interventions in reading and math. These opportunities have been reduced.
Fewer Administrators
Graham Local Schools has reduced the number of district Administrators across the district over the past 5 years.
2018: 14 Administrators
2023: 10 Administrators
2023 Similar district pupil-to-administrator ratio: 98:1
2023 State average pupil-to-administrator ratio: 118:1
​2023 Graham pupil-to-administrator ratio: 149:1
RISING COSTS.
All Graham constituents know about how increasing costs have dramatically affected household expenses. This makes it hard for the District to ask for increased revenue and so the Board chose the earned income option to be considerate of those on fixed income. It chose a low percentage tax increase in recognition of the situation we all share, but recognizing the District’s continuing fiscal challenges and the vital need to invest in the future of our children.
Graham has a proud tradition in its music program. But the reduction of a music position has resulted in the discontinuation of the 5th Grade Band and fewer music courses available at Graham High School.
Special Education
Special Education is a vital and required service that all public schools must provide equally for all students who qualify.
Graham's Special education population has increased from 16% of total enrolled students qualifying and requiring special education services in 2019 to 19% of total enrolled students in 2023.
State and Federal funding does not cover the entire cost to meet the education requirements of special education students.
Graham has a proud tradition in its music program. But the reduction of a music position has resulted in the discontinuation of the 5th Grade Band and fewer music courses available at Graham High School.
District Administration
As an additional cost savings, Graham Local Schools has reduced the number of District Administrators over the past 5 years. It employed 14 administrators in 2018 and 10 in 2023. Some voters wonder if this is still too many. But Graham is below well below the pupil-to-administrator average in similar districts and by state average.
2023 Similar district pupil-to-administrator ratio is 98:1
2023 State average pupil-to-administrator ratio is 118:1
Graham’s district pupil–to-administrator ratio is 149:1
Graham has a proud tradition in its music program. But the reduction of a music position has resulted in the discontinuation of the 5th Grade Band and fewer music courses available at Graham High School.
Transportation
Maintenance and operating expenses for transportation have increased over the past 5 years. This does not include salaries and benefits. Increases are due to parts costs, commodity costs, and the aging bus fleet.
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Fuel: 2019 to 2023 increase of 62%
The district spent $239,281 on fuel for the 2022-2023 school year.
Maintenance: 2019 - 2023 increase of 52%
The district spent $205,291 on bus and transportation vehicle maintenance and repairs in the 2023-2024 school year.
Tires: 2019 - 2023 increase of 8%
The district spent $10,772 on tires in the 2023-2024 school year.
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The Graham Local School District is 186 square miles, making up one-half of Champaign County.
Graham has continued reducing staffing and routes to right-size the transportation department as enrollment has decreased.
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In 2018, Graham had 1,761 students and 21 bus routes.
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In 2023, Graham had 1,529 students and has 16 bus routes.
Each year, the district evaluates route efficiency, student bus ride time, bus capacity, and other factors to adjust the number of routes and drivers accordingly.
Graham has a proud tradition in its music program. But the reduction of a music position has resulted in the discontinuation of the 5th Grade Band and fewer music courses available at Graham High School.
Building Maintenance
Graham Local Schools maintains a total of 377,396 square feet of internal building space with 9 custodians.
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Graham Local Schools has reduced custodial positions in response to rising costs. As people retire or leave the position, then it is not replaced. This has resulted in 5 fewer custodians to take care of the 377,396 square feet of indoor facilities.
The Permanent Improvement Levy RENEWAL passed in 2023 continues to provide money to purchase buses and provide some funds for other facility needs; the $266,557 per year that it provides is dedicated first to school bus replacement, with the balance of available funds to be used for repairs and facility support. The permanent improvement levy collection does not and
will not increase from the original voted amount collected in 2023.
The general operating fund must cover all other maintenance, repairs, and equipment replacement.
Graham has a proud tradition in its music program. But the reduction of a music position has resulted in the discontinuation of the 5th Grade Band and fewer music courses available at Graham High School.
Local Utility Costs
Graham Local Utility Costs have increased over the past 5 years. The district has received an additional planned increase for electricity of 3.8% for the High School campus for 2024, which is an approximate increase of $6,000 - $10,000.
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Graham Local Schools participates in a consortium to bid electricity with over 80 other schools to procure the lowest possible rates. It has been informed by its electricity consortium to plan for an anticipated 40% increase. This is an approximate increase of $100,00 - $150,000 in 2024.
While local utility costs have increased and/or will be increasing, the district has reduced usage with the installation of LED light bulbs, more efficient HVAC control, and reduced usage of all utilities during times and days when buildings are unoccupied.
Graham has a proud tradition in its music program. But the reduction of a music position has resulted in the discontinuation of the 5th Grade Band and fewer music courses available at Graham High School.
High School Sewage Plant
The High School sewage plant is aging and will need to be refurbished or replaced in the next 5-7 years, with an estimated cost of over $1.5 million dollars for this future expense.
The district is exploring the possibility of running sewage lines from the village of Saint Paris to reduce the cost of operating and maintaining the wastewater plant at the High School. All options for the future of the wastewater plant at the High School are being explored.
Graham has a proud tradition in its music program. But the reduction of a music position has resulted in the discontinuation of the 5th Grade Band and fewer music courses available at Graham High School.
Chromebooks
Graham has Chromebooks available for every student to use daily for classwork and online testing.
With focused care and maintenance, Chromebooks have a 5-year lifecycle. Properly maintaining this resource for student learning costs between $150,000 to $175,000 per year for a regular replacement cycle of Chromebooks.