Garfield Heights says budget will be in surplus only if renewal levy passes as state bills threaten local funding

Garfield Heights City Schools will run a modest surplus in fiscal 2026 only if voters approve a renewal levy on Nov. 4, district staff told the Board of Education at a special work session Tuesday.

"Our school district will be running a surplus budget if and only if we, pass this renewal levy," said Mr. Oakley, district staff member, as he summarized the board's abbreviated forecast. Oakley said the district projects general fund revenue of $46,200,000 and expenditures of $46,100,000, producing a projected gain of $162,915 "assuming Issue 48 passes 50 plus 1 on November 4."

The presentation framed the district’s fiscal picture around enrollment declines, rising personnel costs and a set of pending state bills that could reduce or reshape local tax revenue. "We are essentially not increasing expenditures year over year in this forecast," Oakley said, but added that state-level changes have made revenue the more uncertain variable.

Why it matters: Garfield Heights has reduced staffing and deferred maintenance to manage a multi‑million dollar shortfall in previous years, but those steps provide only temporary relief. Without the renewal levy, the district would see a steep drop in property-tax revenue, cutting its ability to maintain staffing and operations.