Eagle Talk

If we took away administrators STRS compensation, we would have to pay them 10% more in salary, and we would continue to be far below the average salary for administrators in the state or in Southwest Ohio.

The percentage of salaries and all benefits paid by the District last fiscal year was 73%.  Compare this to 2008 when the percentage of salaries and benefits was 78%.  You can see we have significantly reduced our staff costs. 

The current negotiated agreement with the MEA and MCEA covers 7/1/10 through 6/30/13.  The salary increase for school year 10/11 was 2%; 11/12, 1% and 12/13, 1%. Both unions agreed to waive all salary increases for one year extending the contract through 6/30/14.  This current contract also includes staff accepting an additional 2% of their insurance costs. 

Milford Schools help to reduce these costs by housing these classes in the same building as the other preschool classes and extended day are offered; so these other programs pay for the maintenance and support staff of the entire building.

Milford Schools also admits four typically developing students into each of these special needs classes to provide an inclusive environment that supports the development of all of the students.  These typically developing students’ families pay tuition which also helps to reduce the costs of these special needs classrooms for Milford Schools. 

The district does not currently receive Commercial Activity Tax (CAT).     

The $4,449,000 in lost revenue was taken from the Actual 2011 receipts compared to the Estimated 2014 receipts on the five year forecast.  This is a tool used to help the district see what changes in funding are ahead and how to plan appropriately.   Of that $4.5 million, the two largest areas where funding has or will end are budget stabilization ($1,337,000 received in fiscal year 2011) and TPPT ($2,701,000 received in 2011).  By 2014 neither of those revenue streams will exist.  The remaining $411,000 is a collection of smaller items.  The levy on the ballot will generate $3.9 million to cover the losses in state funding.  The district works diligently to raise local revenue to cover the costs of the smaller fluctuating items.     

The district knew the budget stabilization was for two years and anticipated necessary cuts with a fiscal year 2012 Reduction Plan.  When the state chose to implement the TPPT phase out earlier than districts were originally informed and shortened the phase out to three years opposed to seven, the district knew deficit spending would begin sooner and hit harder.