Sustainability was on the mind of one Worthington school board member when he was asked to approve a five-year financial forecast that included cuts from the "levy fail" list.

Treasurer Jeff McCuen added the five-year forecast as an agenda item at the board meeting Monday, Sept. 14.

"This forecast incorporates the $15 million in reductions that would have to be made in the event the levy fails in November," McCuen said. "The goal of this document is to balance fiscal year 2012."

Last week, board members approved a list totaling $15 million in cuts that would be necessary if the 3.9-mill, three-year incremental levy request fails in November.

The cut list includes eliminating more than 125 staff positions, middle school and freshman sports, high school busing and field trips.

Board member Marc Schare looked over the numbers.

"Even if everything on the levy fail list is cut, we would still wind up with a deficit of $47 million in 2014 -- and you don't think we have a sustainability problem?" he asked the treasurer.

The new forecast shows a positive balance of $984,240 at the end of fiscal year 2012, with a $16 million deficit predicted in 2013, instead of the $14 million deficit listed a year earlier on the Aug. 3 financial forecast.

Actual total revenues at the end of June 2009 were listed as $112 million, with expenditures at $110 million.

Revenue forecasted for the end of fiscal year 2010 is $107.9 million, with expenditures expected to be $114.4 million after the first round of cuts from the cut list of $348,000.

Schare was the only board member to vote "no" on the forecast.

The incremental levy, if approved by voters, would begin at 3.9 mills in January and increase by 1.5 mills in both 2011 and 2012, ending at a continuing amount of 6.9 mills.

McCuen said if the tax is approved, the first year would cost a homeowner an additional $119 in annual taxes per $100,000 in property value. That amount would increase by $46 in each of the second and third years.

McCuen said the request will generate $7.1 million for Worthington schools in the first year.

'Best year yet'

Board members also heard a report by Jennifer Wene, director of academic achievement and professional development, that gave more details on the district's state report card rating last month, which was "Excellent with Distinction."

Wene titled her report "The Best Year Yet!"

"We have had a remarkable year and our rating was the best yet and the highest rating we can get," she said.

The district achieved 29 of 30 state indicators, with a Performance Index Score of 102.6. The district missed only the eighth-grade social studies indicator, but not by much, with 72.4 percent passing -- just short of the 75 percent passing rate.

Meeting all the Adequate Yearly Progress benchmarks for the first time made up for missing the eighth-grade indicator, which the district also missed last year, Wene said.

"We met AYP in every area for the first year yet," she said. "When I saw all of our areas in the passing green area, I screamed because I was so happy."

Wene said the value-added measurements added by the state are helping districts pass the AYP benchmarks by measuring student progress from year to year.

Board members also recognized Evening Street Elementary School teacher Kellie Ehlers for being selected this year's Gary Smith Compassionate Teacher.