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  • This episode focuses on accountability and transparency required of public schools as stewards of taxpayer dollars, without the same oversight for non public schools and their use of vouchers. 6:01 Dollars & $ense: Accountability, Transparency, and Your Tax Dollars June 5, 2026 Featured

    In this episode of Dollars & $ense: Fairfield's Friday Finance Update, Treasurer Jay Phillips talks about accountability, transparency, and how taxpayer dollars are monitored in Ohio's education system. Recently, Fairfield City School District completed its annual audit conducted by the Ohio Auditor of State. This audit covered the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2025, and lasted approximately seven months, beginning in September and concluding in March. For seven months, auditors reviewed our financial records, tested transactions, examined internal controls, reviewed federal grant expenditures, verified compliance with state and federal laws, and scrutinized how taxpayer dollars were managed throughout the district. The result was a clean audit opinion.

    Uploaded Jun 05, 2026 to Treasurer
  • This is a district update from Superintendent Billy Smith and Treasurer Jay Phillips about the district's next steps following the failure of the ballot issue on May 5. 4:42 May 27, 2026 District Update Featured

    Superintendent Billy Smith & Treasurer Jay Phillips provide an update regarding the district's challenging financial situation. Because the May 5 ballot issue was unsuccessful, the district has moved forward with $4.5 million in reductions that were previously shared with the public and approved by the FCSD Board of Education. Many people have been asking about our next steps, and now that the school year has concluded, it is time to have those discussions. Please watch this video to learn more.

    Uploaded May 27, 2026 to Treasurer
  • This video shares information that proves that Fairfield is among many other Ohio school districts experiencing many of the same financial challenges and many of the same struggles at the ballot box. This is not unique to Fairfield. 5:57 O5 15 2026 Dollars & $ense: Fairfield's Friday Finance Update: The Reality of School Finance in Ohio Featured

    Recently, a statewide summary was released looking at school levy results from the May 2026 election across Ohio. And the numbers were eye-opening. Across the entire state, only 24 out of 66 school levies passed. That means nearly two-thirds of school levies failed statewide.<br>But what stood out even more was this: Only about 25% of NEW operating levies passed statewide. This situation is not unique to Fairfield City Schools. <br><br>

    Uploaded May 15, 2026 to Treasurer
  • This video encourages our students to finish the school year strong, and also celebrates the many achievements occurring in our schools. The financial status of the district is discussed. It reiterates that costs to run the district continue to rise, with our revenue streams unable to keep pace without voter approval. 4:49 Combined Episode of FCSD in Five and Dollars & $ense - April 29, 2026 Featured

    It’s hard to believe, but we are just days away from May, which means the end of the school year is quickly approaching. This is always an exciting time, filled with celebrations across our district as we recognize so many accomplishments.<br>As we head into these final weeks, Superintendent Billy Smith encourages all of FCSD students to finish strong—stay focused, make good decisions, and continue showing up each day ready to put in the work all the way through the last day of school. <br> As we head into the final days before the May 5th election, Treasurer Jay Phillips takes a moment to talk about the big picture from a financial standpoint. The FCSD is facing a structural issue that school leaders have been talking about throughout this process. Simply put, the district's costs continue to rise each year—things like salaries, benefits, utilities, and services—while revenue does not grow at the same pace without voter approval.<br>Phillips states that the district has worked hard over time to manage that responsibly, but we’ve reached a point where that gap can no longer be addressed through efficiencies or reductions alone.<br><br>

    Uploaded Apr 29, 2026 to Treasurer
  • In this episode of Dollars & $ense, Jay Phillips explains in detail the differences between how school districts manage budgets vs. a typical household. The graphics illustrate the points made in the video. 5:02 April 10, 2026 Dollars & $ense - Fairfield's Friday Finance Update Featured

    One of the most common questions we’ve been getting lately is this: Why can’t the district just cut spending to eliminate deficit spending? And along with that question, we often hear a statement like: “The district needs to live within its means like everyone else has to .”Both the question and that perspective are completely understandable—and on the surface, they make a lot of sense. But when you take a closer look, school districts just don’t operate the same way a typical household does. And that’s why it’s not a direct apples-to-apples comparison. Treasurer Jay Phillips explains in detail why this approach doesn't work for school districts.

    Uploaded Apr 11, 2026 to Treasurer
  • In this episode of Dollars & $ense, FCSD Treasurer Jay Phillips explains the myriad of proposed legislation that has a significant impact on public schools, including Fairfield City Schools. Please take a moment to watch to learn more. 7:10 Dollars & $ense: Fairfield's Friday Finance Update - March 20, 2026 Featured

    In this episode of Dollars & $ense, FCSD Treasurer Jay Phillips explains the overwhelming number of pending pieces of legislation that have a significant impact on public schools, including Fairfield City Schools. Please take a moment to watch to learn more.

    Uploaded Mar 20, 2026 to Treasurer

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