Olentangy board: state budget changes leave district funding largely unchanged after veto of ‘clawback’
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Summary
Board members warned July 9 that recent state budget changes stop short of meaningful new funding for Olentangy Local School District; governor vetoed a proposed clawback of operating carryover but the legislature may reconvene to consider overrides and property-tax relief items.
At its July 9 meeting, the Olentangy Local School District Board of Education warned that recent changes to the Ohio state budget fall short of delivering meaningful additional funding for the district, even though the governor vetoed a proposed "clawback" provision that would have limited districts’ operating carryover.
Board President Mister Lester said the district is still growing and will likely need to rely on local funding for facilities and operations because "our funding is not really meaningfully increasing." He advised residents to contact state legislators and to use the district’s school advocacy resources.
The board explained why the veto mattered. The clawback would have restricted how districts carry forward operating funds and, as discussed at earlier meetings, could have forced dramatic restructuring of budgets and risked the loss of large sums already allocated for ongoing growth and facilities.
Treasurer (speaker identified in the meeting as Mister Jenkins) and other board members described remaining items the legislature could revisit if it reconvenes, including proposals tied to "property tax relief" that may change how certain levies contribute to the 20-mill floor and expand the budget commission’s review powers over local budgets. The board noted a July 21 reconvening has been reported and urged citizens to weigh in before that date.
The board walked through how state formula components affect district revenue. Officials said the base-cost portion of the formula will be about $830 per pupil before supplements; when state supplements and categorical add-ons (including a growth supplement of $225 per pupil, a smaller per-student supplement the Senate added, and categorical funds for special education and career-technical education) are included, the figure cited in discussion rose to roughly $1,500 per pupil. Board members said those supplements are not the same as a structural increase in base funding and could change in later legislative action.
Board members repeatedly warned that changes to levy law or expanded review authority by the budget commission could reduce local levy rollback or otherwise alter local revenue. They said Olentangy does not rely on “fixed-sum” levies that were targeted by some proposals; instead the district uses traditional fixed‑rate levies that roll back as property values increase.
The board framed the discussion as part of longer-term planning: if state support does not keep pace with enrollment growth, the district will face decisions on facility projects and local financing. Members said they would continue to inform the community and to provide materials on who represents Olentangy at the state level.
The discussion contained no formal motion; it was presented as part of the board president’s and treasurer’s reports and followed by general board Q&A and public-facing guidance.
