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Treasurer briefs board on OEPI property‑tax analysis as state tax changes put more burden on homeowners
Summary
The treasurer presented a new Ohio Education Policy Institute (OEPI) property tax analysis and a WASBO primer, saying decades of state tax policy shifts have increased the share of school property taxes borne by homeowners and that the district will discuss the changes in public forums.
Treasurer Greg told the Board of Education on Sept. 17 that an Ohio Education Policy Institute (OEPI) property tax analysis released that day documents long‑term shifts in Ohio tax policy that have increased the share of school property taxes borne by homeowners. Greg summarized the report's key findings, noted a WASBO (Ohio association) primer on school‑funding essentials, and said the district will discuss the county‑ and state‑level policy context at public events.
Why it matters: the report draws a through‑line from state tax changes over two decades to greater local reliance on property tax revenue and identifies policy options such as targeted relief for seniors and low‑income homeowners, revenue growth limits and increased transparency for abatements and exemptions.
Greg told the board the OEPI analysis found that homeowners and farmers now pay 67.5% of school property taxes, up from 46% in 1975, while business shares have dropped. He said repeated state tax cuts and elimination of some state reimbursements have reduced state support for schools (state share of funding declining from about 47% in 1999 to 38% in 2024). He also summarized House Bill 920 and other past policy shifts that have reshaped local funding. "Raising home values have happened with slow economic growth and 20 years of state tax policy changes have intensified local school funding challenges," Greg said.
Greg noted the district has resources for the public: the full OEPI report, a WASBO cheat sheet explaining school funding mechanics, and the district's podcast episode covering these topics. He invited community members to a coffee chat in Broadview Heights the next day to discuss the analysis and to answer questions about how state policy affects local tax bills and school revenue. No formal board action was taken; the treasurer said the material was provided to inform the board and community conversation as state policy discussions continue.
The presentation prompted no vote, but board members asked for continued outreach materials so the community can better understand how state policy decisions affect local school finances.
