District overview
Meigs Local School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Meigs Local paid for, and why is money tight?
Meigs Local serves about 1,450 students in Meigs County, Ohio, at four schools: Meigs Primary (K-2), Meigs Intermediate, Meigs Middle and Meigs High School. Like most Ohio districts, it is paid for by state aid through Ohio's school funding formula and by local property taxes. A five-member board, elected at large, hires the superintendent and treasurer and approves the budget. In August 2026 the treasurer projected the district will spend about $957,000 more than it takes in this year and end the year below zero. The state had already placed the district in 'fiscal pre-caution' after the fall 2025 forecast.
Falling enrollment
The treasurer expects about 31 fewer students each year. The state's share of the district's costs is also expected to shrink.
Job cuts
In April 2026 the board cut 15 teaching jobs and 6 other jobs, including 2 assistant principals. The treasurer said this helped but will not close the gap alone.
New local tax tried
The board put a 1% earned income tax on the May 2026 ballot. The collected records do not state the result.
State-required plans
The board has approved several written plans for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, most recently a Fiscal Pre-Caution plan on September 23, 2026.
Fiscal pre-caution is the earliest of Ohio's warning levels, not a state takeover. The middle school earned four stars on its 2026 state report card even as staff were cut.
Where the district stands
Primary 301 + Intermediate 335 + Middle 331 + High 492, as reported in the December 10, 2025 minutes. Added up here, so shown as context.
Count of the positions listed in the April 8, 2026 reduction-in-force resolution.
Major projects
State-required budget recovery plan
Fiscal Pre-Caution plan approved September 2026After the fall 2025 forecast the state placed the district in fiscal pre-caution. The board has approved written plans, cut staff and tried a new income tax. The August 2026 forecast still shows deficits every year through FY31.
- Groundskeeper job cut for lack of funds
- Revised state plan for FY26-27; income tax sent to ballot
- Plan for FY28 deficit approved
- 21 jobs abolished
- 1% income tax on ballot
- Forecast shows negative balance
- Fiscal Pre-Caution plan approved
Funding
General fund
The plan's savings targets are not in the minutes.
New superintendent, treasurer and principals
Completed August 2026Superintendent Scot Gheen and Treasurer Roy Johnson left on July 31, 2026. Shawn Bush (superintendent) and Ashley Miller (treasurer) started August 1. Four building leaders retired and were rehired on one-year contracts, and Tiffany Rife-Oman became Primary principal.
- Bush hired
- Rife-Oman moved to Primary principal
- Miller hired as treasurer
- Four administrators rehired
Funding
General fund
Salaries are not listed in the minutes.
Proposed Pomeroy Community Reinvestment Area
Proposed by the Village of PomeroyIn August 2026 the county economic development director asked the board to consider a property-tax break zone for redeveloping the former Midwest Steel property in Pomeroy. Tax breaks there could reduce future school property tax revenue, and the board will decide how far to take part.
- Presented to the board
Funding
Property tax abatement
No amounts were given.
Recent news
We read the approved minutes of all 20 regular board meetings posted from November 2025 to September 2026. We also read the 2026-27 student handbooks, the athletic handbook, the 2026 meeting calendar and the district's levy page.
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