(The Center Square) – With projected deficits of more than $3 million in 2027 and an acceptable plan to fix the issues, a southeast Ohio school district is now under fiscal watch from the state auditor.
State Auditor Keith Faber said Tuesday that the Trimble Local School District in Athens County faces a $1.6 million deficit this fiscal year, a projected $2.3 million deficit in fiscal year 2026, and nearly $3.3 million in 2027.
The district was placed under fiscal caution in December by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce after it failed to submit an “acceptable written proposal” required by state law to correct budget issues.
Tuesday’s fiscal watch declaration gives Trimble schools 60 days to develop and submit a formal financial plan to stop what Faber called the crisis. The Education Department will evaluate the plan.
Fiscal watch gives district officials and the school board control of the plan and its implementation. The Education Department and the state auditor’s office can offer the district free technical help to develop the plan.
Trimble joins the Springfield Local School District in Summit County as the two districts in the state currently under fiscal watch.
The Athens County Independent recently reported the district has asked the state to place it under fiscal emergency status, which would put the management of the district under a state-appointed commission.
A resolution passed at a recent board meeting says the district could default on payroll and basic utilities in the next few months.