
Financial stability in our schools is a cornerstone to providing quality education. However, for Trimble Local School District in Athens County, the tables have turned to concern as the district has been placed under a fiscal watch. According to the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber, this decision comes from a fiscal caution in December 2024 and a failure to propose an adequate solution to the looming budget deficits.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce alerted the situation after Trimble failed to submit a written proposal that adhered to state law. As a consequence, the district's five-year forecast is looking grim. It will have a deficit of $1.6 million for the current fiscal year and potential shortfalls that could increase to nearly $3.3 million by the fiscal year 2027.
In a bid to circumvent further financial turmoil, Trimble Local Schools is now tasked with crafting and submitting a financial plan within 60 days to pull themselves out of this crisis. The plan will undergo an evaluation by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce before getting their stamp of approval. This procedural development allows the school board and district officials to maintain control over the development and implementation of the financial plan.
Providing some measure of support, the Auditor of State’s Office and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce promise cost-free technical assistance to help Trimble formulate their plan. Notably, Trimble isn't alone in this predicament, they share the fiscal watch status with Springfield Local School District in Summit County. For those seeking more details, the Auditor of State's website offers additional information on fiscal caution, watch, and emergency statuses that affect our school systems.