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A COMMUNITY REPORT FROM STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS

Strongsville Schools: In Focus

EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS - ARTS - ATHLETICS

A Closer Look at Our District’s Finances

Fall 2026

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A MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY

A Shared Investment in Strongsville

Dear Strongsville Community, We are honored to be an integral part of the community and proud of how our District’s students, staff, and families represent Strongsville. Whether you are a parent in Strongsville City Schools or a community member invested in our schools’ success, you have a right to know how our District performs and how we manage the resources entrusted to us. That is one of the reasons we created Strongsville Schools: In Focus. This inaugural issue centers on fiscal responsibility: the tangible results our community’s investment produces and the financial choices that lie ahead. Strongsville City Schools earned a five star overall rating on Ohio’s 2026 School Report Card, which is a testament to the dedication of our students and staff, made possible by the support of families and taxpayers like you. In these pages, you will discover our financial recognition and accountability, how our spending matches up with comparable school districts, and the long-term value we deliver to taxpayers. We also address the recent levy renewal that did not pass and outline what you will see on the November 3 ballot. I encourage you to review this information thoughtfully and reach out with any questions. Thank you for your continued trust in and commitment to Strongsville City Schools.

Purpose Inspiring & Empowering Today’s Learners to Build Tomorrow’s Leaders

Mission As a school community, we will design premier educational experiences that develop innovative, resilient, collaborative, global, and empowered students who are architects of their learning, equipped to thrive in their future.

Dr. Cameron M. Ryba Superintendent, Strongsville City Schools

STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS

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DISTRICT FOUNDATION

Our Purpose Guides How We Invest Our Purpose, Mission, and Model Mustang framework not only guide how we prepare students for life-long success, but also provide direction in how we use the resources our community entrusts to us. Our commitment to inspiring and empowering today’s learners to build tomorrow’s leaders helps to shape those financial decisions. Responsible planning supports meaningful educational experiences and helps every student develop our five Model Mustang competencies. This report provides a transparent look at how we manage public dollars to support student success today and in the future. Our Model Mustang competencies are the durable skills we build into every classroom to ensure life-long success.

Innovative Identifies and evaluates authentic problems. Learns from experimentation. Thinks flexibly. Sees uncertainties as opportunities. Pursues imaginative and creative solutions.

Resilient Overcomes personal and academic barriers to meet goals. Persists to accomplish difficult tasks. Learns from mistakes and failures. Implements a plan. Responds in a disciplined way.

Collaborative Values individual contributions and teamwork. Listens actively. Communicates effectively. Gives and receives feedback. Works with others to accomplish a goal.

Global Seeks cultural understanding. Embraces diversity. Acts with empathy and compassion. Resolves conflict peacefully. Demonstrates service to both local and larger community.

Empowered Develops a learning pathway. Analyzes problems and outcomes. Seeks out answers. Acts responsibly. Reflects on learning experiences.

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RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Planning for Each Year and the Years Ahead Strongsville City Schools plans ahead and reviews its finances throughout the year to manage the resources our community provides.

Two Financial Forecasts Each Year

Monthly Financial Updates

Our Treasurer presents forecasts to the Board in August and February and files them with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Monthly updates help the Board compare results with the forecast. Our Treasurer also prepares an annual budget using nationally recognized presentation standards.

75–90 days of operating costs in reserve under Board policy Cash reserves help manage District cash flow in between property tax collection cycles. They also provide a cushion for unexpected costs, including health care.

Bills come due more often than tax payments Payroll and bills Property-tax receipts

12 months 5 months

Property taxes provide most of our District’s revenue, but payments arrive in only five months of the year. Payroll and bills are due every month. Like a household checking account, cash reserves bridge the gap and help pay bills on time. Reserves also help cover rising costs, including annual health care increases that have ranged from 1.5 to 15%, while levy revenue stays fixed.

STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS

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Making Public Dollars Go Further Managing debt and earning investment income helps our District generate more resources available for schools.

Upgraded

to Aa1 Moody’s upgraded SCS twice, from Aa3 to Aa1, its second-highest rating. A stronger rating can help lower future borrowing costs.

Nearly

$20M in taxpayer savings over the life of refinanced debt for the middle school and high school renovations, through December 2045.

$1.9M Interest Income generated in FY26 from long-term investment strategy to help support staff, programs, and daily operations. Equivalent to the annual cost of roughly 15–20 staff positions, depending on the role.

residential school tax rate 27.23 Mills Second-lowest among all 31 Cuyahoga County districts. Tax Year 2025, collected in 2026, after reductions and adjustments. Home values affect total tax bills. A mill is $1 in tax per $1,000 of taxable value.

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INVESTING IN STUDENT SUCCESS

Strong Results and How Spending Compares Five Star Overall Rating Ohio’s 2026 School Report Card

Among the 11 Cuyahoga County school districts earning that overall five-star rating, SCS had the second-lowest FY25 operating expenditure per pupil.

FY25 Operating Spending per Pupil Brecksville-Broadview Heights

$17,185.99

Strongsville

$17,856.87

Bay Village

$18,196.01

Solon

$19,594.65

Mayfield

$20,320.45

Westlake

$20,968.56

Rocky River

$21,089.62

Chagrin Falls

$24,772.21

Cuyahoga Heights

$25,110.16 $28,773.77

Beachwood Orange

$30,716.38

A Separate Statewide Comparison

$17,856.87

17,609.24

Strongsville

Ohio Statewide Avg.

Strongsville spent about 1.4% more per pupil than the state average. District needs and programs vary. Capital spending is excluded. Sources: Ohio FY25 District Profile and 2026 School Report Cards.

STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS

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Funding Today’s Schools And Tomorrow’s Needs The General Fund pays for daily operations, including staff, utilities, and supplies. Local property taxes provide most of that funding.

Where SCS General Fund Revenue Comes From 78%

13% 9%

Other Sources State Aid Local Property Taxes

The State of Ohio considers Strongsville a high-wealth district (State Share Index) and provides the minimum amount of perpupil base funding, at 10% of the base cost amount. While state aid remains an important foundation for our budget, accounting for about 13% of general fund revenue, local property taxes provide the majority at 78%. Other sources, including federal program funding, tuition, and investment income, make up the remaining 9%. Some state and federal dollars are reserved for specific programs. We also do not have a school district income tax. Because local revenues make up the largest portion of our overall funding, local property taxes play the central role in keeping our district’s budget balanced.

Why the Funding Mix Matters Every district relies on a different mix of local, state and federal dollars. Changes to property tax laws or state and federal funding can affect districts differently, shaping the resources available to students.

5-year Priorities

30-year Vision

Planning for Safe, Effective Learning Spaces District leadership and the Facilities Development Committee have created a Master Facilities Plan to address safety, building conditions, and classroom needs. A five-year prioritized plan contributes to a preventative maintenance and capital improvement plan for our District. 6

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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Balancing Today’s Priorities With Tomorrow’s Needs In 2024, voters did not renew a levy that generated about $9.7 million a year. District leaders heard requests to use cash reserves before returning to voters. SCS has since used reserves and reduced spending while working to protect student opportunities, including instructional support for reading and math, special education and gifted services, a variety of AP and honors courses, mental health resources and robust music, arts, and athletic programs.

Nearly $5M in operating reductions through 2027–28 $1.8M in FY2026–27, plus $3M planned for FY2027–28.

$16.1M one-time transfer to the General Fund The Board dissolved the Capital Improvement (070) Fund and returned a net $16.1 million to the General Fund for daily operations. The transfer adds cash once. It does not provide ongoing revenue.

STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS

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Where Things Stand The Year Ended June 30, 2026 (FY26)

$83.1M

$93.4M

received

spent

SCS spent approximately $10.3 million more than it received in FY26. Spending more than our District receives uses available cash reserves. Excluding the transfer from the capital improvement fund (net $16.1M), the FY27 projected gap between ongoing revenue and spending is $12.2M.

Cash Balances Under Two Levy Outcomes

FY26 Actual Without Issue 9

FY26 actual and FY27–FY30 forecasts. Amounts in millions.

With Issue 9

$60M $49.2M

$40M

$37.7M

$46.2M

$41.6M $36.9M $25.5M

$23.5M

$20M

$0 -$0.9M

-$20M -$27.5M

-$40M

FY26

FY27

FY28

FY29

FY30

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BUILDING COMMUNITY TRUST

Independent Recognition for Financial Stewardship Residents deserve clear information about public dollars. Since 2016, SCS has received national recognition for financial reporting, budget presentation, and transparency.

Clear Budget Information The Association of School Business Officials International recognizes clear, comprehensive district budgets through its Meritorious Budget Award. SCS is 1 of only 5 Ohio school districts to earn it. SCS Recognition: 10 consecutive years

Detailed Annual Financial Reporting The Association of School Business Officials International’s Certificate of Excellence recognizes clear, detailed annual financial reporting that helps residents understand how public dollars are managed. SCS Recognition: 10 consecutive years

Why This Matters to Residents Clear budgets and financial reports help residents see exactly where public dollars go and ask informed questions. Recognitions like the Meritorious Budget Award, Certificate of Excellence, Certificate of Achievement, and the Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction highlight the quality of our financial reporting and confirm strong, clean audits with effective internal controls. Together with accurate long-term forecasts, this transparent stewardship ensures our District remains fiscally accountable and focused on sustaining high-quality educational opportunities over time.

STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS

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Clear Reporting and Informed Questions Clear reports make it easier to follow district decisions and ask informed questions. Independent recognition offers one way to assess the quality of that reporting.

Comprehensive Financial Statements The Government Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting recognizes our District’s annual financial report. SCS Recognition: 9 consecutive years (10th year is currently in review)

Ohio Audit Recognition The Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction recognizes strong financial reporting and audit results. SCS Recognition: 6 of the last 7 years

Making School Finances Easier to Understand Financial transparency is part of our District’s Strategic Plan. Our Treasurer’s Department is creating Financial Fast Facts graphics, newsletters, and videos to explain the numbers in plain language. Detailed financial reports remain available. Find resources and ways to ask questions on the back cover.

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NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID HARRISBURG PA PERMIT NO. 385

STRONGSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS 18199 Cook Ave. Strongsville, OH 44136-5216

Explore the Information Behind this Report Explore District financial reports, academic results, and updates. Use these resources to learn more and share your questions.

www.scsmustangs.org

We want to hear from you! Share a question or stay connected. feedback@scsmustangs.org

440-572-7000

@strongsvillecityschools3568

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