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Oregon Schools
RESS May 23, 2016
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Spending exceeding revenues By Kelly J. Kaczala Press News Editor kkaczala@presspublications.com An update of the Oregon City Schools District’s five-year forecast shows expenses exceeding revenue, it was revealed at a school board meeting on Tuesday. Treasurer Jane Fruth updated the forecast, which she had previously updated last November after voters passed a 3.95mill operating levy, the first time in eight years. The $1.9 mill revenue from the levy is going toward preserving Career Technical programs and extra-curricular activities. Fruth said the district has already collected the first half of that amount this year. Board Member Jeff Ziviski noted that the district’s ending cash balance, or expenses, exceeded the revenue collected. “Yes, there are some years where we’re spending more than we’re taking in,” acknowledged Fruth. “However, the ending cash balances are stable.” She added that the district’s true cash days are stable for the first three years of the forecast. “We’re not flush. But we’re stable. We’re at 57 true cash days, which basically means we’re ending the school year with the ability to pay for two months of expenditures,” she said. “But the bottom line,” said Ziviski, “is we spend more than we receive.” Financial hits Fruth noted that the district has taken a lot of financial hits over the years. “Yes, we have our new levy. But we lost 29 percent of our revenue at one point. So much of our energy has been spent these last two years with reductions and just getting back to what we used to bring in. We’re just slightly over fiscal year 2011 receipts. Everyone has slight inflation, and we’re operating slightly over the Fiscal Year 2011 revenue stream,” she said. She added that the district’s average increase in expenditures in the last five years was just .8 percent. “That just shows how hard this district has worked, with the help of our employees, to keep our expenses in line. So it’s a constant battle. We’ve worked very hard,” said Fruth. “So we’re living off our bank account right now,” said Ziviski. “Anything this board does to spend more money - there’s no revenue to cover it. We’re spending money from our savings – we’re spending more than we get in.” He added that a private business would not be allowed to spend more money than it receives. “In fairness,” said Fruth, “it’s the cycle of school finance. It’s the nature of Continued on page 4
Applying some S.T.E.A.M. Jerusalem Elementary School students participated in S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Day. Top left, Curtis Belli and Elisabeth Bartic and (bottom left) Aleesia Duran and Sutton Row use engineering skills to create a structure using marshmallows and toothpicks. At right, Carsen Schuster, Elijah Duly, and Christopher Boudreaux create a roller coaster using foam tubing and a marble to measure the greatest time and distance. The event teaches critical thinking, teamwork, and problem solving skills. Thirty parental volunteers helped with the day. (Press photo by Ken Grosjean)
Observance ceremony
Oregon sailor to be added to memorial The Oregon Memorial Group, in conjunction with the Vietnam Veterans of America, Greater Toledo Chapter 35, will present the annual Memorial Day Observance Ceremony, Monday, May 30. The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. at Clay High School’s Memorial Stadium. This year, one additional name will be permanently added to the memorials which honor those servicemen who have lost their lives while in military service to our country. Richard G. Golightley, a U.S. Navy sailor, died while serving aboard the U.S.S. Holland, a submarine tender, on Dec. 31, 1970, while in Rota, Spain. Golightley graduated from Clay High School and had enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War. An honor guard detail from the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter will present the colors and provide a 21-rifle volley salute in memory of the fallen soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Clay High School’s Memorial Stadium
the present day. A reading of each fallen serviceman’s name will take place. A military veteran will also toll a bell in memory of the fallen, too. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which is expected to last less than one hour. Anyone wishing more information can contact Jerry Eversman at 419-2667776.
Q Richard G. Golightley is the site of the community’s war memorials forever remembering the fallen servicemen from the beginning of World War II to
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