Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North College Hill superintendent warns levy failure would force dozens of cuts
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Eugene Bllelock told council the school district faces a budget gap tied to state funding decisions and will seek an earned income tax levy May 5, 2026; he said rejection would likely force cuts including at least a dozen teachers and several paraprofessionals and elimination of key support programs.
Dr. Eugene Bllelock, superintendent of North College Hill City School District, told the council on April 6 the district will place an earned income tax (EIT) levy on the May 5, 2026 ballot to avert broad staffing and program cuts.
"We haven't had an operating levy in over 20 years," Bllelock said, describing deep strain from reductions in planned state funding. He said the district was projected to receive about $8 million under a prior fair-funding plan but now expects roughly $1.7 million for the coming year, a shortfall that has already required earlier cuts of about $2.1 million. Without additional revenue, he told council the district will need to eliminate programs and staff: he estimated at least 12 more teachers and five paraprofessionals could be cut and said multi-tiered supports and some extracurricular programs would be at risk.
Bllelock framed the levy as a local response to state-level funding decisions. He said the district receives about 72% of its funding from the state and criticized recent adjustments in the state budget and voucher funding for reducing public-education resources. He emphasized the levy would prevent planned cuts for the 2026–27 school year but said future projections remain uncertain given shifting state targets.
He also outlined public outreach: dates and locations where he will present levy information and answer questions (examples — Trojan Way Learning Center April 13 at 6:30 p.m.; Duncan April 15 at 8:30–9:30 a.m.; College Station April 20 at 11 a.m.; April 30 community session). Bllelock said he cannot tell residents how to vote but urged turnout and said the effects of a failed levy would fall most heavily on students.
Council members questioned specifics about program cuts and how levy proceeds are collected; Bllelock said levy collection is processed through the regional tax authority (RITA) and is independent of city tax collection. Multiple council members and the county auditor in a later presentation encouraged civic engagement and contacting state lawmakers about broader school-funding policy.
What happens next: The district is proceeding with community outreach before the May 5 ballot; an operating levy is scheduled to appear on that date. If the levy passes, Bllelock said cuts slated for 2026–27 would be avoided; if it fails, further cuts will likely be necessary and specifics will depend on the next state funding determinations.
