Grandview Heights Schools: Looking Ahead — Our Financial Future

The Grandview Heights Schools Board of Education recently approved the district’s updated financial forecast, which provides a roadmap of how the district’s revenues and expenses are expected to change over time.

Strong Local Support Continues

Grandview Heights Schools receives only about 11% of its annual revenue from state funding. The vast majority of our funding comes from our local community:

• 63% from property taxes
• 23% from the Grandview Yard development
• 3% from other local sources such as interest income and facility rentals

While House Bill 920 limits inflationary growth on voted tax levies, projections reflect a very slight increase in tax revenue from new construction and growth on inside millage.

In recent months, however, legislative proposals to reform Ohio’s property tax system have raised concerns and highlighted the uncertain environment schools face in the years ahead. The outcome of the legislature’s tax reform initiatives could significantly impact these current projections.

Grandview Yard plays a vital role in supporting Grandview Heights Schools’ financial stability.  While the community has seen continued development, the resulting increase in annual revenue has allowed the schools to keep pace with rising costs and maintain a healthy financial position, shielding local taxpayers from more frequent requests for operating funds.

Rising Costs to Support Students and Staff

Like many school districts across Ohio, we are expecting steady inflationary increases in the costs of providing educational services. This includes:

• Staff salaries and benefits
• Maintenance and instructional supplies
• Professional services such as utilities, insurance, and specialized programs like College Credit Plus
  
  

The district also continues to set aside operating funds – approximately $1 million in 2025 – to help pay the principal and interest on the district’s facility improvement bonds, a promise made to the community in 2018 that provided modern, safe, and functional learning environments for our students.

Future Outlook

Overall, district expenditures are projected to grow faster than revenues, and while the district remains in a strong financial position today, the long-term forecast shows that expenses will begin to outpace revenues in the coming years.

This trend is common among Ohio school districts due to limited inflationary growth in property taxes and state funding, and the natural rise in operating costs. It underscores the importance of strategic financial planning to ensure that Grandview Heights Schools can maintain the quality of education our residents expect.

Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility

Grandview Heights Schools is dedicated to maintaining strong financial stewardship. District leaders and the Board of Education will continue to carefully monitor the district’s financial outlook, ensuring the responsible use of taxpayer dollars while fulfilling our mission to maximize and personalize every student’s learning experience.