Superintendent Opposes Ohio Senate Bill 66's Impact on School Funding

The Fairfield Union Local Board meeting on May 5, 2025, focused heavily on the implications of Senate Bill 66, which aims to change how the 20-mill floor for school funding is calculated in Ohio. Superintendent Douglas highlighted that this legislation would include income tax revenue in the calculation, a move he described as potentially devastating for local school districts.

Superintendent Douglas noted that he was the only superintendent in the area to receive a letter of endorsement for the bill from Senator Schaeffer, raising concerns about the lack of communication among local educational leaders. He expressed strong opposition to the bill, emphasizing that it could significantly reduce funding for schools, particularly in Fairfield County, where many districts rely on income tax revenue.

The proposed changes could lead to a loss of approximately $8 million annually for the district, which is equivalent to nearly 19 mills of property tax. This would force schools to reconsider their long-term financial strategies and could lead to more frequent requests for operational levies from voters, disrupting the financial stability that the district has maintained.

Board members discussed the broader implications of the bill, noting that it could create uncertainty for families regarding tax planning and school funding. The superintendent urged the board to communicate their concerns to Senator Schaeffer's office, as he believes that the bill, while intended to provide tax relief, would ultimately harm educational funding and stability in the region.

The meeting underscored the critical need for school districts to advocate for their financial interests as legislative changes threaten their operational capabilities. The board plans to continue monitoring the situation and engage with other districts to address the potential impacts of Senate Bill 66.