Dublin City Schools is spending money nearly six times faster than it's bringing it in, and the district's cash reserves could go negative within four years.
Treasurer Brian Kern presented an updated Five-Year Forecast at the board's Monday, Aug. 24 meeting showing expenditures growing at 4.61% annually while revenues creep up just 0.8% per year. The gap means cash reserves will fall below the district's target operational threshold by fiscal year 2029 and turn negative by fiscal year 2030, according to the district's meeting recap.
The board will hold a retreat on Oct. 1 to evaluate options including cost reductions, new operating levies or a combination of both.
What's driving the deficit
Personnel costs are the biggest factor. Eighty-five percent of the district's general fund goes to wages, salaries and benefits. Rising healthcare costs in central Ohio threatened a 17% spike in insurance premiums for the 2026-27 plan year. The district's joint insurance committee restructured plan designs, raising maximum out-of-pocket limits and co-insurance rates, to cap the increase at the negotiated 11% threshold.
A one-time $4 million state growth supplement tied to the district's all-day kindergarten expansion will arrive in fiscal year 2027, but Kern's forecast shows it won't close the structural gap.
The situation has worsened since a forecast published in the district's Fall 2025 United Magazine, which already projected expenditures exceeding revenues starting in fiscal year 2026. That earlier projection showed reserves dipping below the district's 60-day target by fiscal year 2029. The updated numbers now show cash going fully negative a year later.
In that August 2025 publication, Kern described the forecast as "a painting of the future based on a snapshot of today." The picture has grown worse by every measure since.
Roughly 85% of Dublin City Schools' revenue comes from local sources, primarily property taxes. Any new levy would land directly on homeowners.
Redistricting timeline takes shape
The board also outlined the implementation schedule for new high school attendance boundaries taking effect in 2027-28. Also on Oct. 1, the district will open a School Determination form in Infinite Campus. Students in grades 9-11 during the 2026-27 school year may opt to remain at their current high school by submitting the form before the Friday, Oct. 16 deadline. The decision is one-time and permanent for the duration of a student's high school career.
An informational brochure will be mailed to all Dublin City Schools households in early September. Personalized assignment letters go out in November, with records locked in Infinite Campus by December.
Safety updates
Dublin Police are now writing citations for illegal e-bike operations and unpermitted modifications after an educational campaign titled "Ride Smart, Ride Safe." Fines for underage riders go directly to parents.
Superintendent Dr. Jen Schwanke highlighted a district-wide emergency reunification drill conducted before the first day of school in partnership with Washington Township Fire Department and Dublin Police. The board also recognized Cheryl Williams, retiring after 20 years as administrative secretary at Bailey Elementary and 10 years as Dublin Support Association president.
The Oct. 1 retreat has no published start time or location. The district's Hall of Fame induction ceremony is Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. at Scioto High School.
