Superintendent Tim Zieroff told residents that the Sylvania City School District faces a critical funding shortfall. Starting next fiscal year, the state will cut the district’s share of state aid from 25% of its revenue to just 10%. To offset that loss, the district is proposing a 1% earned‑income tax levy that would appear on the November 3 ballot.
What the levy would do
The levy is projected to generate roughly $18 million annually. That money would replace the $11 million in cuts the district would otherwise have to make. Zieroff warned that without the levy the district would be forced to make “significant cuts” across the board, including the elimination of about 150 positions.
Potential program reductions could include: reducing transportation funding to the state‑minimum level, moving kindergarten to a half‑day schedule, and cutting all extracurricular activities. “It would have an immediate impact on sports at the end of this year as well as other extracurriculars, band, choir and orchestra and all those things kids like to be involved in,” Zieroff said.
Property‑tax relief component
In conjunction with the new income levy, the district plans to roll back its property tax rate slightly. Officials estimate the property‑tax savings would be about $35 per year for a home valued at $100,000. The income levy, however, would apply to every resident who earns income within the district, spreading the cost more broadly.
Historical context
The district has not passed a levy since 2016. Zieroff noted that the average levy cycle in Ohio ranges from two to five years, and he emphasized the district’s desire to avoid frequent ballot trips. “We’ve done a really really good job being fiscally responsible,” he said. “Our goal is if we pass this to continue so we are not continuing to come to our community every 2‑5 years for an additional levy.”
How voters can respond
Registered voters in the Sylvania City School District will see the levy question on their November 3 ballot. The measure asks voters to approve a 1% earned‑income tax that would be levied on all earners within the district. Community members are encouraged to attend upcoming information sessions hosted by the district and to review the fiscal impact statements provided by the school board.
Local leaders stress that the levy is a proactive step to preserve the quality of education, maintain robust extracurricular offerings, and protect jobs for teachers and support staff. By securing the additional revenue now, the district hopes to keep programs stable and avoid the disruptive cuts that would otherwise be necessary.
What’s at stake
If the levy fails, the district will need to implement the projected $11 million in cuts. That could mean larger class sizes, reduced transportation routes, fewer instructional hours for kindergarten, and the loss of sports, music, and other enrichment activities that many families value.
Conversely, approval of the levy would provide a financial cushion that allows the district to continue offering a full range of academic and extracurricular programs while maintaining staffing levels. It also demonstrates community support for public education at a time when many districts across Ohio are grappling with reduced state aid.
For more information on the levy, voting locations, and upcoming public forums, residents can visit the Sylvania City School District website or contact the district office directly.
Original reporting: 13abc WTVG Toledo (news) — read the source article.
