Cincinnati school board adopts budget cuts, authorizes TIF talks and property review as state budget threatens funding

The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education on June 23 approved a package of contract and staffing reductions, temporary 30‑day appropriations and authorized continued negotiations with the city over tax‑increment financing (TIF) and community reinvestment agreements (CRA), while urging swift public outreach after lawmakers in Columbus circulated budget language that district leaders said would reduce CPS funding.

Board members voted unanimously on multiple items after a detailed presentation from Treasurer Wagner and district finance staff that outlined three competing state budget proposals and the likely effects on CPS revenues. Treasurer Wagner told the board a governor’s proposal would cut the district more deeply, the House version would keep revenues nearly flat for some districts and the Senate approach would reduce CPS funding by roughly $6.3 million in the first year because it updated income measures but not the cost factors used in the formula.

The nut graf: CPS officials said the district is unusually exposed because the state formula and…