MINGO JUNCTION — The Indian Creek Local Board of Education approved its five-year forecast during the Nov. 21 regular session and officials said the district appears to be in the black for the foreseeable future.

District Treasurer Denise Todoroff, who is soon departing from her post, presented her final forecast during the meeting at Indian Creek Middle School and said things looked positive in the meantime, but she was keeping an eye on eventual deficit spending. Todoroff projected that revenue would exceed expenditures for fiscal rear 2025 by $333,000 and that the general operating fund cash balance remained positive through fiscal year 2028.

“In fiscl year 2027, the cash balance slightly dips and expenses start exceeding revenue if the forecast holds true,” she added. “In fiscal year 2025, the balance is $5,361,157, which is $363,000 better than in May.”

She projected a revenue increase of $1.3 million, mostly because of state funding, and broke down figures with local taxes covering 50 percent, the state foundation paying 44 percent and other revenue being 6 percent. Todoroff noted there was an increase in public utility taxes while mineral values have decreased with no new gas and oil wells being drilled in the area. Most of the revenue increase in state funding is due to the participation in the Community Eligibility Program that provides free meals to students, and that funding is restricted to health, safety and related uses. She noted the forecast assumes the CEP program would continue.

As for expenditures, she cited personnel salaries and benefits as the primary source and the fact that the district will no longer be receiving federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding to help cover costs. Todoroff commented that the board will eventually need to establish a cash balance policy and also said there was an enrollment decline over the past four years, which was indicative of the area losing population.

Todoroff concluded by reminding the board of the 7.9-mill operational levy which will need to be placed on the ballot next fall.

Among other action, the board:

• Heard from Linda Lenzi, gifted coordinator for the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, who recognized teachers Alyssa Lollini, Ashley Turnbull and Robyn Scott for each receiving $700 Best Practice Grants for their class projects;

• Learned that members of the Indian Creek Education Association recently participated in the East Ohio representatives’ meeting and would also attend an upcoming state session;

• Heard from OAPSE President Judy Johnson, who thanked Assistant Superintendent John Belt’s staff for handling job bids and Todoroff’s staff for overseeing payroll issues;

• Heard from Food Service Director Nicole Marshall that an estimated 4,000 more meals were served last month over the previous October and students were enjoying a variety of different foods and refreshments;

• Interviewed board member Steve Cowser and resident John Balzano as potential representatives for the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School Board with Cowser being appointed to the post. He will succeed outgoing member Kimberly Mark;

• Approved the resignation of Indian Creek High School Career-Technical Education Family Consumer Science teacher Julie Robinson, who will retire effective June 30. She has served the district for more than 17 years;

• Employed Nicholas Knopf as an intervention specialist at ICHS and Cindee Frazier as a bus attendant and garage employee, as well as approved a continuing contract for paraprofessional Ashlena Moore;

• Approved the resignation of bus attendant Alison Spears effective Nov. 1;

• Lauded the football team for their successful season and earning East District Division III honors, including players Zion McGee, Nishon White, Luke McMillion, Gavin Pownall and Bruce Mazur as first team and Ian Starkey, Kyle Schultz, Caleb Bodo, Chase Nett, Justin Vergona, Mason Lester and Jordan Hines for second team with honorable mention for Jomar Johnson, while the ICHS band was also touted for their successful show;

• Approved Assistant Treasurer Adam Lewis as the designated authorizing officer for banking purposes effective Sunday to ensure a smooth transition to treasurer on Jan. 1;

• Set the next regular meeting for 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at ICMS.