SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Hilltopper Community,

Welcome to the 2022 Quality Profile for the Chardon Local School District. This report, which is supported by the Alliance for High Quality Education, highlights the many 2021–22 accomplishments of our students and staff and offers insight into our District’s finances, instructional program, extracurricular activities, operations, and other important aspects of our schools.

In Chardon Schools, we continually focus on delivering an exceptional educational program that effectively prepares students to engage meaningfully in one or more of the Four E’s—Employment, Enlistment, Enrollment and Entrepreneurship—after high school graduation.

Throughout our Quality Profile you will find examples of this theme woven into the educational experiences of the students we serve in our schools each day.

During the 2021–22 academic year, Chardon Schools was guided by our mission—High achievement for all students, where learning is our most important work. We accomplished this through continual focus on five strategies contained in the District’s strategic plan: Facilities; Safety and Security; Resources; Curriculum and Instruction; and Communications.

Key accomplishments included:

■ Completion of $5.4 million in needed capital improvements to our facilities.

■ Implementation of cost-saving measures and continuing a trend of flat expenditure growth year-over-year.

■ Strong student achievement results as measured by indicators, including State performance assessments.

■ Outstanding student performance in academics, technical skills, athletics and the fine arts, including State-level, award-winning academic and technical skills teams; two State Championship athletic teams; and honorary achievements in performing and visual arts.

■ Comprehensive presentation on fiscal and programmatic impact of the District’s 2018 Reconfiguration by administrators, faculty and students.

■ Continued research-based literacy strategies through our $1.1 million instructional grant.

If you have questions about our Quality Profile, Strategic Plan, or other aspects of our school district, please do not hesitate to contact me at 440.285.4052 or michael.hanlon@chardonschools.org.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael P. Hanlon, Jr., Ph.D. Superintendent

Fiscal Stewardship

Our community deserves to see an excellent value for their investment in the District. The Treasurer’s department diligently researches ways to conserve taxpayer dollars, find alternative sources of revenue, and ensure we maintain our excellent schools with financial responsibility.

Up-to-date financial information is available to all stakeholders via BoardDocs and the Treasurer’s page of our District website. On OhioCheckbook.com, stakeholders can search, view and compare expenditure information for participating governments. Questions related to the District’s finances can be directed to deb.armbruster@chardonschools.org or by calling 440.285.4052.

Fiscal Fast Facts

Education Is A Serviceoriented Operation

As such, staff salaries and benefits account for our District’s two largest expenditures, together representing a total of 81% of all Chardon Schools spending. Chardon staff, on average, are the third-highest paid school staff in Geauga County.

House Bill 920 And Property Values

Did you know House Bill 920 regulates revenue? As property values increase, millage rates drop. New revenue is obtained on inside millage (4.5 mill). Of district property values in tax year 2022, 79% of tax revenue was generated from residential property, 12% from commercial property, 5% from agriculture property and 4% from public utility personal property tax.

Cash Balance

Fiscal Challenges Inflation

Inflation is at an escalated rate, thus causing increased spending in purchased services, supplies, and capital outlay expenditures. In 2026, expenditures are expected to surpass revenue, causing minimal deficit spending. This is when revenue is anticipated to be less than expenditures.

At this FY 2022 snapshot in time, Chardon Schools has a strong cash balance exceeding $25 million. Revenue is expected to support the cost (expenditures) of current services. Expenditure growth outpaces revenue growth through fiscal year 2027. This historical trend can indicate a financial health trend.

Compared To

Total

Aging

Planning is required for expenditure budgeting to repair old, aging buildings to provide a safe environment for the students and staff. Inflation has also greatly affected renovation costs, which directly affects the Permanent Improvement Fund.