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Norwalk City School board approves resolution urging lawmakers to respect DeWine vetoes amid property-tax concerns
Summary
The Norwalk City School District Board of Education approved a resolution urging state lawmakers to honor Governor Mike DeWine's vetoes of recent budget provisions, citing concerns that proposed property-tax changes and reclassification of emergency levies could cut local school revenue.
The Norwalk City School District Board of Education approved a resolution urging state lawmakers to honor Governor Mike DeWine's vetoes of multiple provisions in the recently enacted state budget, citing concerns the changes could shift how property taxes and emergency levies operate and reduce local revenue.
The board's treasurer told members the district now expects to end fiscal 2025 roughly $8,930 "to the good," and noted two unplanned positives: the catastrophic cost program produced about $150,000 more than anticipated and the district received a June interest payment of more than $70,000. "We look like we're probably gonna end fiscal 25 about $8,930 to the good," the treasurer said during the meeting.
Board members discussed language in the budget that would alter county budget commission authority and the treatment of emergency levies. According to discussion during the meeting, one change under consideration could place the emergency levy into a broader millage floor; participants said that move, as described in the meeting materials, could reduce the district's revenue by about $1.5 million annually if implemented in that form. The board's resolution argues the governor's vetoes should be honored while broader tax-reform conversations take place.
The treasurer also reviewed other near-term financial items: June financial reports and minutes for a June 30 special session were available for review, and the district will recycle a set of updated math textbooks at an estimated cost of $596.40.
Board members agreed to contact state representative Kelly Dieter to ask that she consider supporting the governor's vetoes. The motion to approve the treasury items and to adopt the resolution was moved, seconded and approved by roll call vote.
The board did not specify a formal legislative strategy beyond asking members and staff to contact the representative and noting the matter begins in the Ohio House of Representatives. The resolution and vote were presented and recorded under the meeting's treasury-and-communications agenda items.
