Columbus – The Northmont City School District (Montgomery County) could save more than $2.2 million by adjusting staffing, benefits and bus levels, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

Of that amount, the district has already taken steps to save $626,500 annually by starting to implement the report’s recommendations for right-sizing staff levels to peer averages. 

“The sooner you take action, the easier it is to straighten out your finances,” Auditor Yost said. “The Northmont City School District’s proactivity is already starting to pay off.” 

The district’s past enrollment trended downward from 5,943 students in 2008 to 5,034 in 2015, but staff levels were not adequately adjusted to keep up with the decline. Enrollment is projected to increase slightly to an estimated 5,131 students by FY 2020.

The report recommends the district decrease employer costs for medical and dental insurance to save $592,300 per year. Reducing the districts bus fleet by two regular needs buses could save another $55,500 annually. 

In consultation with the Ohio Department of Education, the Auditor’s office initiated a performance audit to help the district improve its financial condition. The district’s October 2015 financial forecast projects increasing year-end fund balance deficits for four of the five years. 

The district’s updated May 2016 forecast projects a greatly improved condition with no year-end deficits until FY 2019. The improved financial condition is due in part to revised revenues increasing by an average of $2.4 million annually. Additionally, voters passed a 5.9 mil emergency levy in March 2016.

A full copy of this performance audit 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 5,800 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:
Ben Marrison
Director of Communications
614-644-1111