Finance Facts

April 30, 2025

We have just passed the midpoint of Ohio's state budget process and the Solon Schools’ administration is actively working behind the scenes to protect our district's financial stability. We are collaborating closely with statewide education partners and lobbyists while engaging directly with our elected representatives in the Ohio House and Senate to address concerning elements in the proposed budget.

As legislation advances into the Senate, we continue advocating for commonsense amendments that would preserve local control and protect school districts' rights to plan collaboratively with their communities on fiscal matters. Our district is particularly focused on helping craft proposed changes to cash balance requirements with the goal of preserving our carefully developed fiscal plans into the future. We're encouraged that Senate Finance Committee Chair Jerry Cirino, who represents Solon, has invited our direct input and requested solutions as the legislature considers amendments before final passage.

Through our engagement with legislators, we are providing clear evidence to help them understand how our financial reserves were strategically established to insulate our district against exactly this type of sudden legislative budget action during the TPP phase-out process. The modifications we're suggesting would ensure districts can maintain appropriate fiscal safeguards while respecting the intent of the legislation. Our goal is a balanced approach that acknowledges statewide support for tax reform and local districts' need for sustainable financial planning based on their unique community circumstances rather than arbitrary calendar dates. We remain committed to collaborative problem-solving that protects the locally determined educational programs and services our students deserve.

The journey to build this financial safeguard in our own district was challenging and required difficult decisions. Through five separate negotiated agreements, our staff accepted multiple years of base salary freezes—six years for teaching staff and seven for administrators—even as they watched our reserves grow by design. Our administrative team worked to identify and implement efficiencies and cost-saving measures, including staff benefit changes and restrictions, while maintaining educational excellence and extra-curricular opportunities. Board members stood firm on fiscal responsibility and accountability. Parents and community members supported these strategic plans and the ballot initiatives before them during this time with the understanding that we were building protection against future legislative uncertainty.

Throughout this process, we continually outlined our responsible stewardship via our strategic planning process, particularly through our Finance Action Team. This collaborative approach ensured transparency with our community about financial decisions and our fiscal strategy regarding the importance of building reserves as a TPP buffer with the promise of simultaneously planning for the use of those funds for future infrastructure needs.

Our current cash balance reflects careful planning and the implementation of that plan to pay for already-approved operating projects once the TPP funding phased out completely as it did last year. For example, the infrastructure improvements, totaling $34 million, are being implemented during limited summer construction windows, with $14 million already spent in 2022-23, approximately $20 million being spent over the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.

These important projects already completed and promised to our community include:

• Air conditioning and exterior window and door replacement projects for Lewis and Roxbury 
• Security electronics, window laminate and PA systems at multiple schools
• Roxbury parking lot addition (planned with the community to alleviate traffic on Solon Boulevard)
• Solon Middle School, Parkside Elementary and Orchard Middle School LED lighting upgrade and efficiency project
• Lewis, Roxbury, Parkside roof replacements
• Lewis, Roxbury, Parkside and Solon Middle School masonry restoration projects
• Solon Middle School, Parkside HVAC upgrade and Orchard generator projects
• Natatorium roof replacement and locker room HVAC upgrade
• Solon Middle School stadium turf field and fencing
• Solon High School stadium turf field and lighting project
• Solon High School softball turf field

We will continue advocating for amendments that recognize the responsible fiscal management and collaborative local decision-making of Solon and districts like ours and allow us to fulfill our commitments to students, staff and community members.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The state budget process is a winding road of stops and starts, and we anticipate needing your support to advocate for the changes needed in this legislation to protect our district in the future. When that critical time comes, we will provide you with:

• Exact timing for when your voice will have maximum impact
• Sample letters ready for customization
• Complete contact information for key decision-makers
• Clear, specific requests that align with our strategic advocacy

It is important that we present a coordinated message.  To stay informed, we've created a "Funding - What You Need to Know Now" page on our website that will be continuously updated with the latest developments. We will send timely alerts directing you to this resource or providing specific action steps when needed.

You've demonstrated powerful collective advocacy during previous financial challenges to the district with great success, and we are confident in your ability to mobilize effectively once again. Your voices matter, and together, we can protect the financial stability our district has worked so hard to build.

Thank you for standing ready to support Solon Schools when the time comes.