Cincinnati Public Schools’ leadership told the joint meeting that the board approved a $634.7 million general fund operating budget for fiscal year 2026 and that the district closed a substantial gap through negotiations and contingency planning.

Budget highlights and state developments
CPS reported the FY26 operating budget was approved July 9 after a process that included school leaders and union partners. The district said state-level budget changes reduced projected revenue by about $3 million compared with earlier projections. Officials said the Fair School Funding Plan remained in place but not all input updates were made; they also cited a potential risk if the state overrides a veto on removing fixed-sum levies, which would affect the district’s ability to ask voters for specific-dollar levies.

"The 1 change that would be dangerous to us, the veto override, is getting rid of fixed sum levies," the district presenter said, noting the November levy on the calendar is a fixed-dollar levy for preschool expansion and operations.

Federal funds and timing
CPS officials said federal Title II, III and IV allocations were temporarily held by the state but were released; the district continues to await its formal allocation and said the state extended grant periods to September 30 to accommodate the delay. District finance staff said they built contingency scenarios and are monitoring state property tax reform working-group proposals due September 30.

Why this matters
The budget secures operational funding for the coming year but leaves the district sensitive to state policy shifts on levy structure and dependent on timely federal allocations for programs that support teacher development and English language learner services.

Next steps
CPS and council members agreed to review property tax reform proposals in a future quarterly meeting and said the district will monitor the legislature and federal timing. The district thanked bargaining partners and unions for concessions that helped close gaps.