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Tallmadge schools to ask voters for 5.7‑mill levy as state aid falls
Summary
Superintendent told the Tallmadge Board of Education the district will place a 5.7‑mill new‑money levy and a renewal on the ballot to offset falling state aid and inflation; board discussed levy rationale but took no formal levy vote.
The Tallmadge Board of Education heard a fiscal update Sept. 17 from Superintendent Jeff Wood saying the district will ask voters to approve a 5.7‑mill new‑money levy and a separate renewal to maintain current programs.
Wood said the levy request responds to two trends squeezing the district's budget: a long‑standing state law that prevents property tax revenue from rising with property values and a reduction in state aid as Tallmadge's local property wealth has increased. "House Bill 920...prevents property taxes from rising, as a result of increases in property values," Wood said, and the district is moving from receiving about 40% of its revenue from the State of Ohio toward roughly 25% over the coming years. He told the board the combination of inflation and declining state aid could mean a projected loss of between $800,000 and $1,000,000 in state funding in 2027.
Why it matters: Wood said the levy is needed to preserve existing services for the district's roughly 2,500 students without making deeper program cuts. "This new money levy is 5.7 mills," he said, and described that amount as lower than past asks (he said previous levies ranged from about 7.5 to more than 9 mills). The renewal on the ballot would not raise taxes beyond current levels, he added.
Board discussion and context: Wood told the board the district has already taken cost‑saving steps, including leaving some positions unfilled, eliminating three administrative roles and relying on philanthropy for capital improvements such as the baseball field and weight room. He also reiterated that stable enrollment means the funding gap is not driven by student counts.
Public comment: John Bryan, speaking for the Tallmadge Teachers Association, said the union "voted and unanimously support both of our renewal levies," and urged community support.
What happens next: Wood said levy issue numbers have been assigned, and the district will proceed with outreach. The board did not take a formal vote on placing the levy on the ballot during the Sept. 17 meeting; Wood presented the information and answered questions from the board.
Additional details: Wood contrasted Tallmadge's operating spending with the state average, saying the district spends just under $12,000 per pupil while the state average is above $12,000. He said recent facility consolidation and new buildings have reduced maintenance costs and improved operating efficiency.
