The Bellefontaine School Board met in regular session Monday night and heard information from District Treasurer/CFO Joshua Wasson about a Deficit Notification Letter requested by the State of Ohio. The letter was requested after reviewing a required report sent by Wasson, prompted by an expected negative balance at the end of the 2028 school year.
Wasson addressed the request in a press release: “Earlier this spring, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) notified the district that its five-year financial forecast showed a potential deficit beginning in fiscal year 2028, estimated at approximately $1.4 million. The district’s forecast also shows the deficit increases further in FY2029, highlighting the importance of taking action now.”
Wasson said a number of ideas are being explored, including staffing adjustments, reducing ‘non-essential spending and capital purchases,’ and ongoing expenditure reductions through the 2028-2029 school year. Wasson discusses the reason for the letter:
To review the Bellefontaine City School report, click here. See the full text of Wasson’s press release below.
The board also recognized the April Seniors of the Month, Harper Penhorwood and Hayden Maus. The seniors received a recognition pin and a $15 gift card to Ron’s Pizza.
District Executive Director of Administration and Transportation, Roger Ely, also introduced K-2 Elementary School Principal Jenny Salyer, who, in turn, introduced the District Classified Employee of the Year, Heather Storm.
The final recognition went to the Chieftan Girls Bowling Team, who were introduced by Coach Jane Kline. The girls won the CBC and went into the tournament as the #2 seed. They finished the state tournament ranked 4th in Division 1. Coach Kline mentioned Senior Gracie Hood, who ended the tournament as the top female bowler with a three-game total of 679. Bellefontaine Senion Chloe Heminger finished 17th with 568 pins in three games.
The team is currently preparing for the National Tournament in Columbus, June 20-22.
The board also heard a presentation from Bellefontaine Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds and Logan County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ben Vollrath on population estimates. While the expected population trend in Logan County is declining, Vollrath expressed excitement about the number of single-family home permits being issued by the city and the county, and that optimism is shared by many local business owners.
The board also approved several personnel recommendations made by District Superintendent Brad Hall:
Professional
- Resignations
- Alexis Kendall, Speech & Language Pathologist, effective 5/28/26
- Meredith Richters, HS French/English, effective 5/28/26
- Administrative contracts – One Year
- Shanel Henry, Executive Director of Instructional Services
- Shanel Henry, Emotionally Distrubed Unit Administrator/Principal for 2027-2028
- Administrative contracts – Three-Year
- Erin Gillig, Associate Principal
- Professional Appointments
- Ciera Badertscher, Intervention Specialist
- Maison Johnson, Intervention Specialist
- Substitutes
- Garrett Jenkins
- Owen Standley
Service and Support
- Resignations
- Audra Boggs, Food Service Worker, effective 5/28/26
- Tracey Burton, Food Service Worker, effective 5/28/26
- Ashlyn Gonterman, Educational Aide, effective 4/6/26
- Ava Huffman, Educational Aide, effective 4/27/26
- Appointments
- Audra Boggs, HS Head Cook, effective for the 2026-2027 school year
Lauren Henry, Educational Aide, effective 4/7/26
- Audra Boggs, HS Head Cook, effective for the 2026-2027 school year
- Administrative Appointments – One year
- Krista Adelsberger, Communications Coordinator
- Administrative Appointments – Two-year
- Martha Earick, Food Service Supervisor & Superintendent’s Secretary
- Summer Maintenance
- Stephen Funderburgh, effective 4/1/26
- Supplemental Appointments
- Josh Jones, HS Boys Basketball Coach
The board also approved the student handbooks for all three schools, as well as the district student handbook for the 2026-2027 school year.
Additionally, the board adopted a resolution allowing the Third Grade Math Assessment to be administered on paper and pencil for the 2026-2027 school year. According to the resolution,
The Bellefontaine City School administration has recommended to the Board of Education that third-grade students are not academically ready to take the Math assessment online.”
The board also recommended that Superintendent Brad Hall be reappointed as District Superintendent for a two-year term effective August 1, 2027.
Hall said when he recently retired and was rehired after three years of his five-year contract, he stipulated that if the board chose to extend his tenure, he would take a pay cut, saving the district several thousand dollars:
According to Hall, his new salary will be $125,000.
The board also reappointed District Treasurer/CFO Joshua Wasson for a five-year contract, effective August 1, 2027, through July 31, 2032.
The May meeting of the Bellefontaine School Board will be held on May 11, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
Full text of the press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2026
Bellefontaine City Schools Approves Plan to Address Future Financial Deficit
The Bellefontaine City School District Board of Education has approved a comprehensive Fiscal Plan designed to address a projected future budget deficit and ensure long-term financial stability.
Earlier this spring, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) notified the district that its five-year financial forecast showed a potential deficit beginning in fiscal year 2028, estimated at approximately $1.4 million. The district’s forecast also shows the deficit increases further in FY2029, highlighting the importance of taking action now.
Being placed in Fiscal Precautionary Status does not indicate immediate financial trouble. It serves as an early warning system to ensure districts take proactive steps.
Key components of the District’s plan include:
• Staffing adjustments primarily through attrition, retirements, and resignations (not layoffs)
• Strategic reductions in non-essential spending and capital purchases
• Use of one-time federal funds in FY2026 to offset current costs
• Ongoing expenditure reductions generating savings through FY2029
Projected savings include approximately $499,000 in FY2026, $907,000 in FY2027, $1.18 million in FY2028, and $1.07 million in FY2029.
Because the projected deficit grows beyond FY2028 and is larger in FY2029, the district anticipates additional planning will continue following the August five-year forecast update. The Board of Education has also begun discussions regarding potential additional revenue options, including local sources.
District leadership emphasized that the plan prioritizes maintaining quality educational
opportunities while ensuring responsible financial stewardship.
The Board will continue to monitor financial conditions monthly and make adjustments as needed.
Contact:
Bellefontaine City School District
820 Ludlow Rd, Bellefontaine, OH
(937) 593-9060
