May 2026 Levy, Bond, and State Policy Developments

Public education finance in Ohio continues to shift under the weight of voter sentiment, legislative action, and ongoing policy changes at the state level. Recent data on the May 2026 primary election reinforces what school leaders across Ohio already know: the political and financial environment surrounding school funding has become more volatile, more complex, and far less predictable.

This year, only 65 school levies appeared on the May 2026 primary ballot, the lowest total in the past seven years. That decline is not accidental. It reflects growing taxpayer frustration tied to steep increases in property valuations, particularly for residential and agricultural property. Put plainly, many communities are reacting to higher tax pressure, and school districts are being forced to navigate that reality in real time.

Fewer Levies, Higher Headwinds

The reduced number of school levies on the ballot follows a brief return to more typical activity levels in 2024 and 2025. Even so, the 2026 number dropped below the already reduced levels seen from 2021 through 2023. That matters because levy behavior often serves as an early indicator of public confidence, economic stress, and the political appetite for school funding requests. Right now, the signal is clear: the environment is challenging.

Capital Levies Remain Difficult

Only 13 school capital levies appeared on the May 2026 ballot, well below the totals seen in most recent primary cycles. Historically, capital levies pass at a stronger rate than many operating requests, but that headline requires context. Renewal capital levies tend to succeed at very high rates, while new capital levies typically face much steeper odds. In other words, communities are often willing to continue supporting an existing commitment, but asking voters to approve something new is another matter entirely.

Operating Levies Reflect a Major State Policy Shift

There were 52 operating levies on the ballot this year, a figure lower than recent peaks and notable for another reason: there were no emergency levies on the ballot. That is a direct result of legislative action. The General Assembly eliminated emergency levies last year, although House Bill 129 permits districts to renew expiring emergency levies in five-year increments as fixed-sum levies.

This is more than a technical policy revision. It changes the way a school district structure ballot issues, communicate with voters, and plan for long-term fiscal stability. When the state changes the rules, school districts do not get to pause operations and regroup. The buses still run, the lights still come on, and students still show up on Monday morning.

School District Income Taxes Are Increasing

One of the clearest trends in the May 2026 data is the unusually large share of school district income tax levies. Of the 52 operating levies on the ballot, 32 were school district income tax issues, representing 61.5 percent of all operating requests.

That is a significant departure from the historical pattern, in which property tax levies generally far outnumber income tax issues. The likely explanation is straightforward: districts are responding to the public backlash over property taxes by exploring alternative mechanisms for revenue generation. This trend deserves close attention from policymakers and the public alike because it signals that local districts are adapting to political reality, not operating in a vacuum.

Early Literacy Component Rule Changes

Beyond school finance, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has proposed rule changes related to the Early Literacy Component of the state report card. These proposed revisions are intended to address concerns stemming from changes adopted in House Bill 96, the state budget bill.

This issue warrants careful monitoring. Accountability systems matter, but they must also be credible, understandable, and fair. When component measures shift rapidly or produce unintended consequences, confidence in the state report card can erode. School districts need clarity, consistency, and implementation timelines that reflect the realities of teaching, staffing, and instructional improvement.

Link to the draft rule changes to the Early Literacy Component: https://education.ohio.gov/about/ohio-administrative-code-oac-rule-comments

Link to the Component's ratings distribution comparison under current law versus the draft rule (pages 70 and 71): https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/About/DEW-Public-Meetings/03-26-2026-DEW-Public-Meeting-Presentation.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US

Why This Matters

These developments are not isolated. They are part of a broader pattern in which public education is being shaped by tax policy, accountability redesign, and state-level legislative decisions with significant local impact. School districts are expected to deliver results, maintain services, respond to mandates, and preserve public trust, all while the funding terrain continues to move under their feet.

That is why legislative advocacy matters. It is essential to ensuring that policy decisions made in Columbus reflect the operational realities faced by school districts across Ohio.

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.