OHIO — Some Ohio school districts are asking voters for money on Nov. 3. If voters say no, students could lose sports, teachers, and even full-day kindergarten.
Two districts are in the most danger. The state has already warned both of them about money problems.
Maumee City Schools is spending more than it takes in, according to the district. It says it could run out of cash by 2029 without new money. It has already cut about a dozen jobs. Now it is asking voters for a 1.25% income tax. The state ordered Maumee to plan cuts last week, The Toledo Blade reported.
Cincinnati Public Schools faces a $44.5 million shortfall by 2029, the state says, according to WVXU. The district wants a new property tax. The state is still making it plan cuts in case the levy fails.
In Sylvania, a 1% income tax is on the ballot. If it fails, the district says it would cut about $11.3 million, The Blade and WTOL reported. Sports, clubs, honors classes and full-day kindergarten could all go.
Pickerington is trying again after voters said no in May, WOSU reported. That loss already cost the district $3.25 million in cuts. This time, it is asking for a smaller income tax.
Strongsville voters turned down a levy in 2024 and a building bond in May. If the new levy fails, the district plans up to $20 million in cuts over time, starting with 13 teaching jobs, WKYC reported.
Why are districts struggling? Costs keep rising, and Maumee leaders told The Blade they can no longer count on state money.
That makes school funding a big issue in the race for governor.
Democrat Amy Acton says she would fully fund the state's Fair School Funding Plan. She also wants to ease property taxes for seniors and middle-income families.
Republican Vivek Ramaswamy wants to roll back property taxes. Over time, he told WOSU, he wants Ohio to rely less on local property taxes to pay for schools.
Both candidates have been short on details about how they would pay for their plans, the Ohio Capital Journal and other outlets have reported.
Early voting starts Tuesday.
Sources: The Toledo Blade, WVXU, WTOL, WOSU, WKYC, the Ohio Capital Journal, Maumee City Schools.