One of the most important roles our staff members play is outside the school building. As trusted members of our community, school staff are often asked questions about our schools, finances, and the challenges we face. At Warren Local, we recognize that it is critical that all staff have a strong understanding of school funding and the factors impacting our district. For that reason, we started the school year sharing key resources with staff in small group settings, empowering staff to be advocates in our community.
Our district is a real-life example of how quickly the financial landscape can change. Due to recent legislation, a district that was financially stable and solvent now faces the very real prospect of a significant financial crisis. Recent property tax changes are limiting the revenue we can collect locally from a 2025 levy and, at the same time, reducing our state funding by counting that revenue as part of our local share, creating financial challenges that are largely outside the district's control.
As district leaders, we have been proactive in advocating for our schools, reaching out to legislators, key stakeholders, and media outlets to explain the impact of these changes. The facts are clear: Warren Local does not have an expenditure problem; it has a revenue problem. Years of responsible financial management have left little excess in the budget. Internally, there is no "fat" to trim. Our expenditures are low, with salaries increasing 1.26% and staffing down 2.3%. Meanwhile, our enrollment has increased 6.5%. Any additional reductions would have a direct and negative impact on educational programming and services for students.
When staff also understand these realities, they are better equipped to answer questions, address misconceptions, and help community members understand the challenges facing public education. You can see the materials we shared with staff here:
Warren Local by the Numbers
Warren Local One Pager
Understanding School Funding – Warren Local Schools
Armed with this knowledge, every informed employee becomes an ambassador for our schools, helping ensure that conversations throughout the community are based on facts, transparency, and a shared commitment to providing the best possible opportunities for our students.