The Northridge Finance Committee is working toward developing fiscal policy and goals for the Northridge Local School District.

During Monday's board of education meeting, treasurer Felicia Drummey asked board members to define the committee's purpose and goals by Dec. 1.

"At the committee's next meeting, we hope to draft fiscal policy," she said. "They really want to meet the needs of the board. É As a group, they want to establish ground rules. We want to roll up our sleeves and get to work."

Drummey told The Independent the committee was developed about a year ago out of a discussion about getting the public involved in district finances.

"It provides another voice to take our message to the public," she said.

The board of education must decide in January whether to place a tax issue on the May 4 ballot.

A Master Plan Steering Committee is gathering public input to see what would be supported on the ballot relating to new or renovated facilities.

The Northridge district's existing 1 percent income tax, used for operations, also expires next year.

Some tasks of the Finance Committee include review of the schedule of levies, giving consideration to expiration and millage required to maintain sufficient revenue for operations; review of the five-year forecast assumptions made by the treasurer; and review of state audits.

The 10-member committee includes a cross-section of community members, from retirees to district parents, and also involves an administrator and board representative. The group is to assist the board in a financial advisory capacity and is not a decision-making committee.

Drummey provided the board with fiscal policy research, including sample policies for establishing a budget reserve and comments from various Ohio treasurers about maintaining a general fund cash balance.

"We appreciate your hard work on the finance committee, and this shows the next evolution of where it's going," said Troy Willeke, board president.

Also on Monday, the board:

• Accepted a $855.80 donation from Utica Sertoma for speech and language pathologist supplies and a donation of $307.08 from Countryside Auto for replacing front pads and rotors on a 2003 Chevy maintenance van.

• Approved various supplemental contracts for the 2009-2010 school year; modification of contract sequence to fulfill Ohio Revised Code; and a slate of volunteers.

• Recognized the Northridge Girls Volleyball Team for raising $1,500 from a recent "Volley for the Cure" fundraiser that will go toward cancer research.

The next regular board of education meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, in the high school media center.