Worthington Schools board members Amber Epling-Skinner and Kelli Davis provided a comprehensive update following their attendance at an Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) budget session, revealing concerning trends in state education funding and ongoing legislative challenges.
Historic Low in State Support
The most striking revelation from the session was that this year's budget represents "the lowest state share in history that schools have ever gotten," according to Epling-Skinner. This dramatic shift places increasing financial pressure on local property taxpayers to fund public education.
"I think that as board members, we have a responsibility to educate the public on this because I think that so many people don't understand property tax in Ohio is complicated," Epling-Skinner explained. "When they just see their property tax bills increasing and they don't really understand who to complain to, the schools are an easy target because we're the ones that constantly have to go back to the ballot for the levies."
The board members emphasized that while the state has the capacity to increase funding for schools, lawmakers have chosen to decrease the state share year after year, failing to implement the third phase of the Fair School funding plan that was designed to address Ohio's unconstitutional school funding system.
Legislative Threats and Vetoes
The governor's use of line-item vetoes to remove several detrimental provisions from the budget bill provided temporary relief, but the legislature retains the power to override these vetoes through December 31st of the following year. Board members noted that the legislature has already overridden one veto and indicated more could follow.
Three key areas were flagged for potential veto overrides:
County Budget Commission Authority: This would require school districts to seek approval from three-person county panels (consisting of the county prosecutor, treasurer, and auditor) before placing levies on the ballot. Board members initially worried about navigating multiple county approvals, but clarified that Worthington only operates within Franklin County.
Cash Balance Cap: This provision would allow the state to "claw back" property tax revenue from districts that exceed certain percentages of operating expenses in their cash balances.
Inside Millage Elimination: House Bill 335 would eliminate inside millage, representing a potential $1.991 billion loss for K-12 education statewide and $3.961 billion across all local governments.
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Alternative Revenue Strategies
The discussion highlighted how legislative pressure is pushing districts toward alternative funding mechanisms. The board noted that Westerville Schools recently placed an income tax levy on the November ballot, reflecting the challenging position many districts face.
"When we are forced to piecemeal our strategies, it actually potentially hits people harder because of the income tax versus property tax," Davis observed, noting that residents who work in one district and live in another could face double taxation.
Potential Positive Developments
Two legislative proposals were identified as potentially beneficial:
Circuit Breaker Legislation: Senate Bill 271, supported by Senator Blessing and Representative Sweeney, would provide property tax relief for residents with incomes below $60,000, similar to Michigan's system. The estimated annual cost to the state would be $820 million.
LLC Loophole Closure: Supported by county auditors, this measure would ensure commercial properties pay their fair share, reducing the tax burden shift to residential property owners.
Governor's Task Force
A new gubernatorial task force, distinct from the previous legislative joint committee, began meeting on July 24th with a September deadline. This group includes a broader range of stakeholders beyond lawmakers and may provide recommendations for property tax reform.
Looking Ahead
Board members stressed that advocacy efforts, while successful in achieving gubernatorial vetoes, represent just the beginning of a longer fight. With a year and a half remaining in the legislative session, continued vigilance and community engagement will be essential.
"The fight's not over," Epling-Skinner emphasized. "We've still got another year and a half before the legislative session is over, and these vetoes could potentially be overridden or other bills could pass."
The board thanked community members who used district resources to advocate for public education, noting that continued civic engagement will be crucial as Ohio grapples with fundamental questions about how to fund public schools fairly and sustainably.