M. Hensen: “Simple (but not easy)” – Pt. 2 Expenditures

April 6, 2026
From Mark Hensen,
Pickerington Board of Education Member

This represents my views and does not reflect those of the PLSD Board of Education (BOE) or my colleagues. I’m speaking for myself, NOT the board.

The PLSD levy issue on the ballot on May 5th is fairly simple to understand (once explained), but it is not necessarily easy to accept or do. This is a Five-part series of letters to the editor – the first two parts address “simple” and the last three parts reflect “but not easy”.

Simple – Part 2: Expenditures

PLSD expenditures take into account minimum staffing needs over the next 4 years (FY27-30)

For continuing student enrollment growth
Includes 143.5 new staff over the next four years (includes reductions based on the recent audit findings)
Staffing represents about 83% of our total general fund spending (includes transportation personnel & the Pickerington Early Learning Center)

PLSD spending is being reviewed closely for greater efficiencies and effectiveness – some examples:

Bond debt refinancing that saved us $1.4M+
Savings of $527K+ on some recent curriculum renewals
OFCC safety grant received for $1.5M
An additional $50K/year received for the last 3 years for student programming (United Way)
Ongoing negotiations for the lowest possible prices with vendors
Using purchasing consortia for many buys
Realignment of $2M from our self-insurance fund to the General Fund
Every new and replacement staffing position approved by senior leadership

For those who say we should “cut” first, we effectively have:

By allowing our average general education class size to rise to 25 student – 19th highest/worst in the state
Reducing it to the state average of 20 would mean hiring 65 more teachers (grades K-6)
This equals at least a $3.8M cut annually (if all brand-new teachers)

Bottom Line:

This levy simply maintains our ability to continue operating at our current level to protect the quality of our students’ education and opportunities – i.e., funding for staffing, curriculum, transportation, maintenance, extracurriculars, etc.

PLSD is a 4-star district and is working to improve our early literacy & college/career readiness to achieve even greater levels
There are no new programs in the levy ask

Other Entries in “Simple (but not easy)