The Sycamore Community City Board of Education reviewed the district’s May five‑year forecast and heard officials describe how pending Ohio legislative proposals could sharply change local tax‑and‑reserve dynamics.

The district treasurer told the board the governor’s budget maintains the Fair School Funding Plan phase‑in, but the House proposal would replace the model with bridge funding and impose a 30% cap on districts’ year‑end cash balances. The treasurer said that, under the House language, Hamilton County’s budget commission could be required to return roughly $10.1 million to taxpayers in calendar year adjustments, and the district modeled that result would leave the district needing roughly 10.5 mills in an emergency levy scenario to restore reserves.

“How's that property tax relief?” one board member asked rhetorically during the presentation, reflecting a concern expressed across the discussion. Administrators said the district had modeled a range of levy options earlier (including a 6.5‑mill scenario) and emphasized that the House proposal’s cash‑cap outcome would change timing and magnitude of levy planning for the district.

The treasurer said the district must file the five‑year forecast by the end of the month and will testify before the Senate Finance Committee the following week to explain district impacts. Board members asked staff to continue outreach to local legislators and encouraged residents to contact state senators to describe local consequences.

The board approved the May five‑year forecast on a roll call vote and heard staff outline next steps: file the forecast on time, prepare testimony for the Senate, and continue financial scenario planning. Administrators also recommended community education about capital needs, levy modeling and the district’s financial assumptions.

Ending: District officials said the fiscal threats from state proposals make near‑term community engagement and advocacy urgent. The board’s approval of the forecast keeps the district compliant with state deadlines while staff continue to monitor legislative developments and prepare testimony for the Senate Finance Committee.