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Superintendent warns property‑tax repeal would sharply cut Ashland City Schools revenue
Summary
Superintendent Steve Paramore told the board state funding is trending downward and a proposed referendum to abolish property tax would threaten core services; he cited a projected drop in the state share of education funding and said vouchers and other policy changes further shift resources away from public schools.
Superintendent Steve Paramore used the board’s Nov. 24 meeting to outline state funding trends and to warn that a proposed November ballot measure to abolish property tax would seriously reduce local revenue for Ashland City Schools.
Paramore said state foundation funding has been decreasing as a share of total K‑12 funding: he cited 41.6% in fiscal 2022 compared with a projected 32.2% in fiscal 2027, leaving more of the funding burden on local taxpayers. He told the board that Ohio property taxes generate roughly $24 billion statewide and that a repeal would “be devastating” for public services that rely on local levy funding.
Paramore also flagged recent growth in voucher funding. He said the EdChoice expansion and related programs have grown substantially (he cited a biennial figure of approximately $327.1 million and noted the program has exceeded $1 billion over the last two years), and he contrasted that increase with diminished state funding for public schools.
District staff estimated the local revenue exposure if property tax were abolished could be in the range of $20 million for the district and said property tax currently accounts for about 60% of the district’s revenue. Assistant Kyle (name given in meeting) explained provisions in House Bill 96 that allow counties to adopt exemptions such as a 2.5% owner‑occupancy cap or a homestead exemption; Richland County adopted the 2.5% exemption and Ashland City Schools’ projected direct effect was small (approx. $240 annually in the district’s unique footprint) but staff said the aggregate effect across counties is significant.
Board members and staff discussed options for messaging and legislative engagement. Paramore said district leadership plans to meet with legislators to press for policy adjustments and to educate the public about services that depend on property tax revenue.
No formal action was taken on funding policy at the meeting; the superintendent framed the discussion as an informational briefing and called for continued local outreach and advocacy.
