District Finances

Wildcat Wallet Update: Federal Funding Allocated

Each year, Deer Park City Schools receives federal funding through various Title grants that support a small—but critical—portion of our Special Education services, including preschool speech, ESL, and general Special Education programming.

This year, there was a delay in the release of these funds at the federal level. After a two-month hold, we’re pleased to share that all federal education grants have now been officially allocated to schools across the country—including ours.

Like many districts in Ohio, Deer Park does not receive full state funding and relies on these federal dollars to help bridge the gap in our budget. This year we received a total of approximately $600,000 in these funds, which supports our vital Special Education programs. While the federal funds are very helpful, it is important to keep in mind that this amount only accounts for less than 3 percent of our total budget.

These funds are vital to supporting the needs of our students and staff. We’re grateful for the continued support of our community and advocacy at the federal level.

Dear Wildcat Families and Supporters,

On behalf of Deer Park Schools, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and advocacy throughout the recent state budget process. Because of your involvement—whether through contacting lawmakers, attending meetings, or staying engaged in the conversation—Ohio’s finalized budget includes several key provisions that benefit our district and public education overall.

Thanks to this advocacy, we were able to achieve some important outcomes:

• The funding guarantee for districts like Deer Park was preserved, helping us avoid deep cuts in state aid.
• The proposed cap on district cash reserves was removed, maintaining our ability to respond to future needs responsibly.
• A modest increase in state funding for stable, high-performing districts was included, giving us limited—but welcome—additional support.

These are meaningful developments, and they are a direct result of a community that speaks up and stands together. However, it is important to balance this good news with fiscal reality.

We Are Still Deficit Spending

Despite these legislative victories, Deer Park Schools continues to operate in a deficit spending situation, meaning we are spending more than we receive in revenue. While the updated state budget offered some relief, it did not close the funding gap.

In preparation for the 2025–2026 school year, the district worked very hard to strategically reduce expenditures across the district by more than $800,000. These reductions were carefully planned to avoid impacting student programming and minimize the effect on class sizes. These reductions were made primarily through reducing the number of staff members through attrition, which includes the reduction of six teaching positions and 1 administrative position.  We are proud of our ability to preserve the student experience, but we recognize that we cannot cut our way to long-term financial stability.

Operating Levy on the November Ballot

To maintain the quality of our academic programs, staffing, and student services, Deer Park Community City School District Board of Education voted to place a 6.9-mill operating levy on the ballot this November.  This levy will allow Deer Park schools to continue offering all of the high level and unique programming that the community deserves and has come to expect.  This includes programming such as our full day kindergarten at no additional cost to families, excellent gifted services at our elementary school, the Deer Park Career Academies at our Jr/Sr High School, extra-curriculars such as band and athletics at very reasonable rates and much, much more.  

We remain committed to operating with transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a focus on what matters most—our students. The months ahead will require continued partnership as we work together to protect the future of Deer Park Schools.

With appreciation,

Jeff Lewis
Treasurer
Deer Park Community City School District

Jay Phillips
Superintendent
Deer Park Community City School District

Jim Stoll
Incoming Superintendent
Deer Park Community City School District

Wildcat Wallet: Friday Finance Update | Friday, June 13, 2025

This week’s finance update includes urgent developments from the Ohio Statehouse that could have long-lasting consequences for Deer Park Schools and public education across the state.

HB 335 – The “Property Tax Relief NOW Act”

On the surface, HB 335 promises tax relief—but the reality is devastating for Ohio’s public schools.

Eliminates Inside Millage Entirely:
This move would result in a statewide loss of over $1.5 billion annually for public school districts, with no replacement funding.

For Deer Park, the annual loss would be $1,739,014.

Destroys Permanent Improvement Flexibility:
Districts that have shifted inside millage to permanent improvements would lose critical funding for buildings, buses, and technology.

Caps Tax Growth & Reduces Equity:
A new tax credit mechanism caps tax growth and creates unequal effective tax rates on identical properties across districts—likely violating the Ohio Constitution.

Undermines Local Control:
Gives county budget commissions power to cut levies that voters already approved. Adds unpredictable tax shifts and budget instability.

Despite being marketed as “relief,” HB 335 represents the largest single reduction in public school funding in Ohio history.

HB 96 & Senate Omnibus Amendment Highlights

• Eliminates Critical Levy Options: Starting in 2026, districts would no longer be allowed to place emergency, replacement, or substitute levies on the ballot.
• Requires 2/3 Board Approval for any new levy attempt, further limiting flexibility.
• County Budget Commissions would gain expanded power to override voter-approved levies if district reserves exceed 30% of annual expenses—even if savings were planned responsibly.
• Freezes “Inside Millage” growth—unvoted local tax revenue schools rely on to keep up with inflation—further shrinking funding without state reimbursement.
• No Update to Base Cost Inputs in the school funding formula, which means the state continues to pay just 38% of the total cost, shifting the burden to local taxpayers.

While the Senate claims to complete the final phase-in of the Fair School Funding Plan, it keeps outdated inputs that undermine its purpose and increase local financial strain.

We Need Your Voice!

Your advocacy matters more than ever. Please contact our state legislators and urge them to oppose HB 335 and HB 96:

• Senator Steve Wilson (Senate District 7): (614) 466-9737
• Representative Karen Brownlee (House District 28): (614) 466-8120

You can also email them directly through www.ohiosenate.gov and www.ohiohouse.gov

Thank you for staying informed and standing with Deer Park Schools. We will continue to advocate for what’s right—for our kids, our community, and the future of public education.

Wildcat Wallet: The Friday Finance Update
Five-Year Forecast Edition

As part of our commitment to transparency and sound financial stewardship, here’s a snapshot of our latest Five-Year Forecast:

Beginning and Ending Cash Balance
We began the fiscal year with $12,178,675 in the bank. As we approach the end of the year, we are projecting a cash balance of $11,132,211. This reflects deficit spending of $1,046,464 for the current year.

Revenue Breakdown
Our school district’s revenue primarily comes from local sources, with 56.69% of our total revenue made up of real estate taxes. This underscores the strong financial partnership we share with our community.

Where the Money Goes
A significant portion of our expenditures—88.2%—supports staff salaries and benefits. This includes the professionals who serve our students every day:
Administrators, teachers, counselors, aides, substitutes, administrative assistants, food service workers, custodians, maintenance personnel, and more.

As always, we are committed to ensuring that every dollar spent supports student learning and the operations that make it possible.

If you have questions about the Five-Year Forecast or any aspect of our district finances, feel free to reach out.

Wildcat Wallet: Your Friday Finance Update

Thanks to a $4,972 School Safety Grant from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office obtained by our Assistant Superintendent Mindy Robertson, we’ve been able to make an important improvement at Amity Elementary!

With these funds, we installed privacy wind guard screens to enhance student safety and create a more secure and comfortable environment for outdoor learning and recreation.

We’re committed to using every dollar wisely to support our students and staff—and we’re grateful for the opportunity to continue investing in safety at Deer Park Schools!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 – 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐆𝐨?

Each week, we aim to keep you informed and engaged with how our school district responsibly manages your tax dollars. This week, we’re answering a question we hear often: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲?

Using our most recent Five-Year Forecast, here’s a breakdown of 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 for the current school year:

• 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬): $𝟏𝟎.𝟒𝟒 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧
  This accounts for 65.3% of our budget and includes salaries for teachers, administrators, support staff, and operations personnel.
• 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: $𝟒.𝟒𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧
  Making up 27.5%, this includes services we contract out—like substitute teachers, aides, transportation, utilities, and tuition for students attending programs outside the district.
• 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 & 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬: $𝟕𝟓𝟐,𝟔𝟒𝟗
  Roughly 4.7% of spending goes to classroom supplies, technology materials, custodial products, and other items needed for daily operations.
• 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬: $𝟑𝟏𝟎,𝟒𝟓𝟓
  This 1.9% includes things like county auditor/treasurer fees and other mandatory dues and fees.
• 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐲: $𝟕𝟖,𝟑𝟖𝟕
  About 0.5% of our budget is used for equipment and facility-related purchases not covered under separate capital funds.

In short, 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒘𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒇𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎. We’re committed to maintaining a responsible, transparent budget while prioritizing teaching and learning.

Stay tuned for next week’s update, where we’ll explore how we receive our funding—and what trends are impacting school finance across Ohio.

The Wildcat Wallet: Your Friday Finance Update

 A Big Ruling in Utah 

Last week, a Utah judge struck down the state's private school voucher program — Utah Fits All — ruling it unconstitutional. Why? Because it used taxpayer dollars to fund private schools that can deny access to students based on religion, disability, income, and more.

This matters here in Ohio, too. The ruling echoes the very arguments in our own lawsuit against EdChoice:

 Ohio’s Constitution demands a single system of public schools that serves all students equally.
 But vouchers fund a separate, unequal system — often excluding students with disabilities or those who don’t meet selective admission criteria.

Meanwhile, Ohio is spending over $1 billion annually on vouchers — without academic or financial accountability.

We’re not alone. States across the country are standing up for public schools and public dollars. And we’re making progress — in courtrooms, legislatures, and communities.

📢 Attention Wildcat Families:

This week, the Ohio House passed a budget bill that poses significant challenges for Deer Park Schools and districts across the state. Here’s what you need to know:

Underfunded Education: The budget allocates only $226 million to public schools, falling short of the $800 million needed to fully implement the Fair School Funding Plan. This shortfall hampers our ability to provide quality education and maintain essential programs. 

Cash Reserve Cap: A new provision limits school districts to a 30% carryover of their operating budgets. Excess funds beyond this cap would be redirected as property tax refunds. While intended as tax relief, this measure will significantly destabilize school finances, forcing districts to seek additional levies and potentially leading to increased reductions in staff and programs. 

Misplaced Priorities: Despite underfunding education, the budget includes $600 million in bonds for a new Cleveland Browns stadium. This allocation raises concerns about the state’s commitment to public education. 

Your Voice Matters: We urge our community to stay informed and advocate for our students. Contact your state legislators, specifically the Senate Education Committee, asking them to remove the cap on carryovers and asking them to fully fund the Fair School Funding Plan. Together, we can strive for a budget that truly supports education.

• Ohio Legislator Contact Info
• Sample Phone Call Script

We are excited to share some great financial news for our community! Last week, we successfully completed the refinancing of a portion of the bonds from our 2016 bond issue, which was originally used to renovate and expand Amity Elementary. 

Much like refinancing a home mortgage to take advantage of lower interest rates, our refinancing strategy allowed us to reduce borrowing costs without extending the repayment period. This effort will save $961,216.67 in interest for our taxpayers over the remaining life of the bonds.

By acting at the right time and under the right financial conditions, we have effectively reduced the tax burden for our residents while maintaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Our district continuously evaluates opportunities to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while ensuring we provide the best educational environment for our students. This refinancing is another step in that direction.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Deer Park Schools!

If you have any questions about this refinancing or our district’s financial outlook, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Did You Know? 

Did you know that Ohio House Bill 920 prevents school districts from receiving additional revenue when property values increase? 

Here's how it works:
🔹 When property values go up, the tax rate is adjusted down to keep the total revenue for the school district the same.
🔹 This means that even if your home is worth more, your local schools do not receive additional funding from property tax increases.
🔹 As a result, school districts must rely on new levies to generate additional revenue to keep up with inflation, rising costs, and the needs of students.

Understanding school funding helps us make informed decisions about the future of our students and community! Stay tuned for more Wildcat Wallet insights.

Wildcat Wallet: How Federal Funding Supports Deer Park Students

Each year, Deer Park Schools receives federal funding to support student learning, enhance programs, and provide essential services. But what does that actually mean for our students?

In this edition of Wildcat Wallet: Your Friday Finance Update, Patty Hadden, Director of Student Services, explains how funds like Title I (for reading & math support) and IDEA (for students with special needs) play a crucial role in student success. These dollars also help fund school meal programs, mental health services, and safety initiatives—but they come with strict guidelines, and they don’t cover everything.

That’s why local support remains so important in making sure our Wildcats have the resources they need!

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Wildcat Wallet, where we keep you informed on the financial side of Deer Park Schools!

In last week's episode, Superintendent Jay Phillips explained the key differences between General Fund and Permanent Improvement (PI) Accounts—two vital sources of funding that serve different purposes in our district.

This week, he continues the conversation by highlighting the impact of PI savings, specifically the $1.5 million saved from the 2018 Amity Project and how those funds have been used to improve facilities without affecting the General Fund.

Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, thank you for your support in keeping Deer Park Schools strong!

📘 Did You Know?

At Deer Park Schools, our funding is divided into two important buckets – each serving a unique purpose to support our students and community.

🔵 General Fund – This is the primary source for day-to-day operations, including personnel salaries and benefits, classroom supplies, utilities, and other essential expenses that keep our schools running smoothly.

🟢 Permanent Improvement Fund – These funds are specifically set aside for upgrading and maintaining our school facilities. Whether it’s new roofs, building repairs, or technology updates, this bucket ensures our buildings are safe and modern for student learning.

🚫 Important Note: By law, funds from one bucket cannot be used to support the other. This means Permanent Improvement Funds can’t be used for salaries or classroom expenses, and General Fund dollars can’t be used for facility upgrades.

Understanding how school funding works helps us all better support Deer Park Schools. Have questions? Reach out – we're here to help!

At Deer Park Schools, we take financial responsibility seriously. Each year, our district undergoes a rigorous independent audit to ensure we are managing taxpayer dollars effectively. For four consecutive years, we have been honored with the Auditor of State Award, recognizing our commitment to accountability and accuracy in financial reporting.

In our latest audit, Deer Park Schools received an unmodified opinion—a clean audit with no findings for recovery. While we face financial challenges, including deficit spending, we remain dedicated to careful planning and transparency.

Watch the video above to hear Treasurer Jeff Lewis explain what this means for our district. You can also review our last five audits below:

📂 Audit 2024
📂 Audit 2023
📂 Audit 2022
📂 Audit 2021
📂 Audit 2020

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Did you know? 

The State of Ohio has calculated the average base cost of educating a typical student in Ohio at $8,280.55.

Of that cost, the State of Ohio only provides Deer Park Schools through the Fair School Funding Model with $1,416.68 – just 17% of what they say it should cost to educate a typical student.

That means our Deer Park community provides our schools with the other 83% – a total of $6,863.67 per student. Thank you, Deer Park, for supporting our students!

Our second installment of the Wildcat Wallet is here, bringing you the latest on our district’s financial outlook. While Deer Park Schools remains financially stable, we’re seeing rising costs in staffing, supplies, and maintenance, and we’re projected to end the fiscal year in deficit spending—meaning our expenses will outpace our revenue.

With 83.5% of our funding coming from local property taxes, we rely heavily on our community. And with Governor DeWine’s proposed budget suggesting potential cuts to state funding guarantees, local support will be more crucial than ever.

Despite challenges, we’re working hard to maximize resources, securing over $2.2 million in grants this past year to support student success in career coaching, high-dosage tutoring, manufacturing programs, safety, and mental health resources.

Deer Park Schools is proud to introduce The Wildcat Wallet, a new initiative aimed at providing the community with greater insight into school funding and financial decision-making. Beginning today, the district will release weekly updates to help parents, staff, and residents better understand how financial policies impact Deer Park students and schools.

Superintendent Jay Phillips will lead the series, joined by Treasurer Jeff Lewis, incoming Superintendent Jim Stoll, and other district leaders who play key roles in budgeting and financial planning. Each week, The Wildcat Wallet will break down important topics, including how Ohio funds public education, where tax dollars go, and the effects of policy changes such as the Fair School Funding Formula and the growing allocation of state dollars to private school vouchers.

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Did You Know?

Did you know that public school funding comes from three main sources—local, state, and federal dollars? At Deer Park Schools, over 67% of our funding comes from local property taxes, meaning the strength of our schools is directly tied to the support of our community. The Wildcat Wallet will help keep you informed about how we manage these funds to ensure the best education for our students!"  

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“Our goal is simple: to keep our community informed, engaged, and empowered to understand and advocate for the financial health of our schools,” said Superintendent Phillips. “When we all have the facts, we can make better decisions for our students, our educators, and our future.”

Updates will be shared in multiple formats, including video messages, social media posts, and written releases, ensuring accessibility for all members of the Deer Park community. The district hopes that by increasing transparency, stakeholders will be able to engage in meaningful conversations about public school funding and the financial realities shaping the future of Deer Park Schools.

To view today's first Wildcat Wallet video, please click on either the image above or the link that says "Watch Video" at the bottom of the page. To stay informed, visit deerparkcityschools.org and click the District Finance button in the "Find It Fast" section of the home page.