16-04-2025
Ohio schools making cuts after levy failures now face possible loss in state funds
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio House passed a budget opponents say will dramatically cut funds for public school districts, some of which are already facing tough financial decisions.
The Ohio House elected not to implement the third and final phase of the Fair School Funding Act in House Bill 96, the state budget. The bipartisan act created a formula for school funding that would weigh individual school's demographics and needs to equitably disperse funds. Without Fair School Funding, the Ohio League of Women Voters estimates public schools will lose out on $400 million.
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More than half of Ohio's school district levies failed in November, including levies to support Reynoldsburg, Marysville and Westerville schools. All three districts are facing major budget cuts without levy funds, and representatives said losing the Fair School Funding Plan could cost them crucial funds.
Reynoldsburg communications director Valerie Wunder said the district has not received new funding in 15 years and is examining how state budget proposals could affect the schools. Left-leaning nonprofit Policy Matters Ohio estimates Reynoldsburg could lose more than $31 million over the next two years without the Fair School Funding Act. See previous coverage of Reynoldsburg's budget cuts in the video player above.
'We are not making any definitive statements about future budgets; however based on preliminary information, H.B. 96 may result in revisiting district expenditures and expenses,' Wunder said. 'We anticipate it would not be favorable.'
Reynoldsburg has already had to revisit its expenses in recent months. After November's levy failed, Reynoldsburg schools had to cut $8.5 million from its budget. The district has cut $8.3 million so far by reducing support staff, cutting 51 teachers and increasing pay-to-participate fees.
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Marysville Treasurer and CFO Todd Johnson said Marysville has a very low cost per pupil, and has not passed a new levy in 17 years. It's not for lack of trying; Marysville has had two levies fail since the last state budget was under consideration, including a close vote in November that failed by less than a 2% margin.
On March 20, Marysville Board of Education approved two dozen staff cuts in subjects like art, music and gym, joining previously approved pay-to-play fee increases. These cuts would hopefully be restored if voters approve the emergency operating levy in May, but Johnson said reductions in state funding would only intensify budget trimming.
'Quite frankly, it doesn't matter where the money comes from whether it be state funding or a local levy, we will need additional funds to maintain our level of service which has already been decreased,' Johnson said.
Marysville and Reynoldsburg are just two of many Ohio districts making difficult financial decisions. Westerville already has to cut 30 teachers next school year to address a funding shortfall after a levy failure.
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Several Westerville district representatives testified against H.B. 96, including Superintendent Angie Hamberg. Hamberg said the district would quickly run out of cash without adequate state funding, requiring hefty programming cuts. She said their only option would be to pass a series of small levies to offset the costs, but she was not optimistic that would be feasible.
The House budget is not final and now goes to the Senate for consideration. Local school districts have encouraged families to request more funding in the state budget during legislative hearings.
'I'm sure legislators are hearing a lot from people that don't like paying taxes, but I hope they balance that with those people that want a quality school system for their kids with the same level of opportunities that we had growing up,' Johnson said.
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