From left, Zane Eschbaugh, Brittany Schob and Cody Venderlic hold a $10,000 check from Hall Financial Advisors for teacher appreciation which will go towards financial projects at Marietta Elementary School. The donation was announced at the Marietta Board of Education meeting Monday night. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The Marietta City Board of Education on Monday discussed the potential impact of certain state legislation on its financial forecast.

Treasurer Frank Antill said House Bill 186 recently moved to the Senate and has the potential to significantly limit the district’s potential funding.

“This is just for Marietta City Schools and it caps property tax groups at the 20-mill floor to inflation,” said Antill.

If passed, HB 186 would place a growth cap based on property tax revenues on the inflation radius.

“We’ll get less of an increase as property values go up,” said board member Russ Garrison. “It doesn’t take us backwards, but it eliminates the potential growth we get from reappraisal.”

Board members discussed various situations if this bill were to take effect.

“So just assume $800,000 is what it was going up to and with this bill the reduction would be $625,000 so we’re going to see an increase of $175,000 but it should be $800,000,” said Antill.

Also the current language of House Bill 129, Antill said, states an emergency levy can only be approved once a year.

He said if that were to pass then the district would have to have a different type of levy on the ballot in order to maintain their funds.

Another concern is Senate Bill 93 which would eliminate local school districts’ authority to levy property and income taxes.

Garrison said Article 6, Section 2 in the Ohio Constitution said the government is required to provide taxation that’s efficient for the school systems throughout the state.

He said the state has been failing to meet this obligation for a long time.

“The General Assembly representing us, Rep. Kevin Ritter and Sen. Brian Chavez, has a constitutional obligation to provide funding that is a thorough and efficient system in common schools,” said Garrison. “I would say that almost all the districts across the state have communicated clearly that the funding is not adequate based on the number of levies that are going on the ballot.”

The board compared Ohio’s school systems to neighboring states like Indiana and West Virginia and how their taxes and systems are operated.

In other business, Superintendent Mary Schaeffer announced a few future plans she has lined up to recognize and involve hardworking students.

“Each month, every building can nominate a student and we’ll bring the student forward to be recognized and honored at our monthly board meetings,” she said. “I’m very excited, and it’s a nice way for us to honor and recognize the great things that are happening in each of our buildings.”

Marietta Elementary School Principal Brittany Schob announced a partnership with Hall Financial Advisors, who donated $10,000 to support the teachers and the building. Advisers Zane Eschbaugh and Cody Venderlic were present to discuss the partnership.

“We would pay for a luncheon and provide some financial education,” said Venderlic. “We’re offering free comprehensive financial plans to any of the staff members that want to sit down with us and walk through the process.”

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Nov. 24 at 111 Academy Dr.