The Cincinnati Board of Education is asking voters to approve a five‑year, 7‑mill operating levy on the November ballot. The measure is intended to cover rising costs and preserve key programs for the district’s more than 34,000 students.
What the levy would do
According to district officials, the levy would generate about $66.3 million each year for five years. Those funds would be used to maintain existing programs, protect staffing levels, and continue recent expansions such as the new Montessori school opened last year. Superintendent Shauna Murphy emphasized that the district has exhausted other cost‑saving options and that cutting programs would undermine the quality of education Cincinnati families rely on.
Cost to homeowners
The proposed levy translates to an estimated $245 per $100,000 of home market value, or roughly $122.50 on a typical half‑year tax bill. CPS has posted an online calculator so residents can estimate their individual impact based on property values.
Why the board says it’s a “last resort”
Board members and administrators framed the levy as a necessary step after exhausting other avenues. “There is nowhere else to cut without eliminating some of the programming that Cincinnati is so fond of, such as our Montessori program,” Murphy said at a recent town hall. The district warned that without the levy, it may have to reduce staff, limit extracurricular activities, and potentially roll back recent curriculum enhancements.
Community response
Since the levy was placed on the ballot, CPS leaders have held a series of town‑hall meetings across the city to answer questions and address concerns. Parents, teachers, and local business owners have voiced both support and skepticism. Supporters argue that the levy protects the district’s reputation for academic excellence and safeguards jobs for teachers and staff. Critics worry about the added tax burden and ask whether the district could find efficiencies without a new levy.
How to vote
Registered voters in Hamilton County will see the levy listed on their November ballot. The measure will be presented as a property‑tax increase, and voters can learn more by visiting the CPS website, reviewing the online tax calculator, or attending one of the scheduled town‑hall sessions. The deadline for mail‑in ballots is November 5, and early‑voting locations will be open throughout the county.
What’s at stake
If the levy passes, the district expects to maintain current staffing levels, keep specialty programs like Montessori open, and continue investments in technology and facilities. If it fails, CPS officials warned that they would have to consider program cuts, larger class sizes, and possible layoffs, which could affect the quality of education for thousands of students.
Both sides agree that the outcome will shape the district’s fiscal health for the next half‑decade. As the election approaches, the conversation in Cincinnati homes and community centers will likely focus on balancing fiscal responsibility with the desire to provide a robust public‑school experience.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
