Two-thirds of Ohio school levies failed in the May primary, and the numbers tell a story that school boards cannot afford to ignore heading into November.
The facts are telling. Of the 66 levies on the ballot statewide, only 24 passed — a 36% passage rate, half of what it was this time last year. Just 12 of 50 new money levies were approved, a 24% success rate.
In Northeast Ohio alone, voters rejected 10 of 11 school income tax requests. Streetsboro schools failed a levy for the third consecutive time despite warnings of cuts to junior varsity sports and arts programs.
In Southwest Ohio, Franklin City Schools and Fairfield Schools both came up short, with Fairfield now facing elimination of 15 teaching positions, 10 English tutor positions and all school field trips.
Voters are tapped out, and they know it. Property values surged across the state, tax bills followed, and taxpayers have started saying “no.” Schools going back to the ballot in November without showing voters exactly where the money went and why they need more will get the same answer.
Asking overtaxed homeowners for more money in an election year where economic anxiety is driving every vote is a fight most districts are not ready to have. Ohioans have been pretty clear. The question is whether anyone in those school board meetings is listening.
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