Families across Ohio deserve relief from rising property taxes, and communities deserve strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and reliable public services. Achieving both is possible, but only if the responsibility is shared fairly among families, local governments, businesses, and the state.

The Springfield City School District recognizes that change is necessary, and our team is committed to being part of the solution. However, reforms must be balanced to protect both taxpayers and the future of public education.

What happened?

• State Policy Shifts
  Over time, state-level decisions have placed greater reliance on local property taxes to fund schools.

• School District Actions
  Districts have already implemented consolidations, shared services, and efficiency measures to reduce costs while protecting student learning.

• Changing Tax Burden
  The balance has shifted significantly: homeowners and farmers now pay nearly 70% of school property taxes, compared to just 47% in 1991. Businesses, by contrast, carry a far smaller share than they once did.

• Community Actions
  Residents can play an important role by:

• Talking directly with legislators about the need for fair reform.

• Informing teachers and staff about the impact of state policy changes.

• Engaging neighbors and community members in conversations about equity.

• Advocating for solutions that ensure schools remain strong and property tax reform is balanced.

Ohio Schools’ Commitments

• Transparency
  We will continue to be clear about where funding comes from and how it is spent, ensuring accountability to taxpayers.

• Empathy
  Property taxes feel high because they are high—homeowners and farmers are paying more than ever before.

• Partnership
  We support reforms that relieve families while also ensuring strong schools and safe, thriving communities.

Key Point

Unlike those who blame schools for rising property taxes, Ohio schools are allies of taxpayers. State-level tax policy changes have shifted the burden dramatically: homeowners and farmers now carry nearly 70% of the load—the highest in state history.

Balanced reform is necessary. Families deserve relief. Schools and communities deserve stability. Together, both are possible.

The Myth of Exploding School Budgets

Despite what you may hear, school funding hasn’t exploded. In fact, over the last 20 years, schools have been asked to take on significantly more, from advanced technology to safety upgrades to expanded student support, but the funding to pay for these initiatives has barely budged. When you adjust for inflation, state revenue per student has only grown by a fraction of a percent each year. Schools are being asked to do a lot more with essentially the same resources.

1. State revenues have not kept pace.

• From 2000 to 2022, overall state revenue actually decreased by 2.2% after inflation.

• On a per student basis, state revenue grew just 6.6% over 22 years — that’s only about 0.3% a year.
  ➡️ In other words, state funding for each student has been essentially flat for two decades.

2. School spending increases look big until you break them down.

• Overall, school spending rose 9.4% over 22 years — that’s only 0.43% a year after inflation.

• On a per-student basis, spending grew 19.4% over 22 years, or about 0.88% a year after inflation.
  ➡️ Less than 1% growth per year is hardly the “massive increase” some claim.

3. Expectations have skyrocketed while funding hasn’t.

• Schools are asked to provide far more today than in 2000: new technology, safety measures, mental health supports, career readiness pathways, and more.

• Yet the dollars to support those responsibilities have stayed nearly flat.

How to Advocate

1. Contact your legislators about the need for balanced reform.

2. Ask: What would losing teachers, staff, or programs mean for our community?

3. Share this information with neighbors, friends, business leaders, and community groups to amplify Springfield’s voice.

Moving Forward

Springfield’s students deserve stable, equitable resources that reflect today’s educational costs and community priorities. Thoughtful tax reform is welcome; unfunded mandates are not. By engaging legislators now, residents can protect instructional quality, public safety, and the economic vitality of the entire city, today and for generations to come.

• Sample Phone Script (Word Version)

• Sample Phone Script (PDF Version)

• Sample Email or Letter (Word Version)

• Sample Email or Letter (PDF Version)

• Fact Sheet

Send the SCSD an email at:

communications@scsdoh.org

Leverage our downloadable advocacy letter and phone script to contact your state legislators. Urge them to support balanced property tax reform that provides relief for families, restores fairness in who pays, and protects strong schools and essential community services. By acting together, we can ensure the Springfield City School District remains strong and sustainable for generations to come.