Columbus – The Geneva Area City School District (Ashtabula County) could achieve annual savings of $272,200 based on recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

The audit was prompted by the district’s October five-year forecast which projected a deficit of nearly $11.6 million by fiscal year 2022. In response, the district eliminated the equivalent of 11 teaching positions and a number of support staff positions. In May, district voters approved a 1.25 percent income tax levy, which resulted in a new five-year forecast showing the district with a $2.1 million surplus in 2022.

“The district has acted responsibly and vigorously to address what could have become a dire financial situation,” Auditor Yost said. “Thanks to decisions to trim costs and the voters’ willingness to provide additional revenue, the district now is in far better shape.”

To further bolster the district’s bottom line, the performance audit recommends:

• Reducing the subsidy for extracurricular activities to the level of local peer school districts to save $132,100. During the course of the audit, the school board increased several high school and middle school participation fees.
• Converting a full-time nursing position to part time to save $49,000. The school board implemented this change during the audit.
• Reducing the employer’s cost of dental and vision insurance to the Ashtabula County public-sector average, saving $36,600.
• Adopting an energy management plan to save $37,900
• Cutting 5.5 labor hours a day from food services to save $16,700 

The audit also recommends that the district develop strategic and capital-improvement plans to guide long-term operations and spending decisions.

In addition, the audit noted that by renegotiating collective-bargaining provisions covering sick leave, vacation, holidays, personal leave and classroom overload the district could achieve additional savings.

A full copy of this report is available online.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies.  Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Beth Gianforcaro
Press Secretary
614-644-1111