CPS levy passes as other districts across Greater Cincinnati see mixed results

Voters across Greater Cincinnati delivered mixed results on several major school funding measures, approving new funding in some districts while rejecting proposals in others.

Cincinnati Public Schools received a major boost, with voters approving the districts levy by a wide margin. About 61% of voters supported the measure, compared with 39% who voted against it.

It is the first levy Cincinnati Public Schools has gotten passed in more than a decade.

Superintendent Shauna Murphy thanked voters and those who worked to support the measure in a statement released overnight.

She said she knows residents are paying for this investment and will explain where the money goes and report on students.

The levy is expected to cost someone with a gome market value of $100,000 a year about $245 annually.

The additional funding comes as Cincinnati Public Schools faces a projected $58.6 million budget deficit. District leaders have been considering layoffs, potential school closures and other cost-cutting measures.

District leaders have said passage of the levy will not solve all of the districts financial challenges but will help address its looming shortfall.

Voters in North College Hill rejected the school districts proposed earned income tax, with about 52% voting against the measure.

District leaders previously warned North College Hill City Schools could face nearly $2 million in cuts if voters did not approve the levy.

The superintendent told WCPO in September that the district could potentially enter a fiscal emergency and be forced to make significant cuts, including to staff, sports and academic programs.

At the time, district leaders estimated at least 10 to 15 staff members, teachers and coaches could be affected.

Meanwhile, voters approved Lakota Local Schools bond issue, with nearly 26,000 people voting in favor of the measure.

The bond will cost property owners about $77 annually for every $100,000 in property value.

School leaders have said the money will be used to renovate and expand buildings serving students in grades six through 12.

Lakota is one of Ohios largest school districts, and district leaders expect enrollment to continue growing. They have said the additional funding will help the district upgrade facilities to accommodate that growth.

In Warren County, voters delivered the same outcome for two school districts seeking additional funding through earned income taxes.

Franklin City Schools' Issue 4 failed. The measure would have created a 1% earned income tax that the district estimates will generate about $7 million annually over the next five years.

The loss follows previous Franklin school funding measures that failed.

Lebanon City Schools also did not receive the additional funding it was seeking from voters. Its earned income tax proposal failed.

Ahead of the election, Lebanon Superintendent Isaac Seevers said the district's financial challenges were part of a broader conversation about how Ohio funds public education.

District leaders had warned that without additional funding, more cuts could be ahead.