West Clermont advisory group and administrators warn $30 million hit to district finances, propose $3.5M in reductions

A panel of parents, teachers and volunteers who make up the West Clermont Citizens Advisory Commission told the school board on May 18 that seven recent state House bills changed how property-tax revenue is collected and effectively reduced the district’s future revenues.

"The state took money that was already allocated to us," a CAC presenter said, summarizing the commission’s findings that prior allocations were reclaimed and that county auditors and new ballot rules now limit how districts can collect property taxes.

The commission identified five major takeaways: the state reclaimed previously allocated dollars; future revenue growth is limited; local control over levy language and renewals is restricted; ballot rules for renewals have changed; and the cumulative effect widens the gap between local needs and state support. The presenters urged clear community education about what the changes mean and recommended a focused levy-outreach strategy that highlights concrete impacts to students and programs.

Several teachers and volunteers described how those funding shifts have already affected classrooms. A teacher said the district is cutting behavior consultant positions (BCBAs) and other student-support roles, and that teachers are facing larger class sizes, strained special-education services and deteriorating facilities. "The state has taken $30,000,000 from our budget," one presenter said, a figure the commission cited as the district-level impact of the legislative changes.

District Treasurer/finance lead (Mr. Romano) delivered a parallel budget update, saying administrators have been working through a line-item budget process to close a projected gap. Romano said an early January forecast showed a larger exposure (about $53 million in long-term impact), later revised to an estimated $40 million by 2030, and that the immediate planning target is roughly $3.5 million in reductions for FY2027. He told the board the administration built a proposed appropriation of approximately $108.38 million — about $3.7 million less than the prior February expenditure projection — and that the board is scheduled to review and potentially approve the budget at its June 29 meeting and adopt appropriations by June 30.

Romano stressed the district’s limited discretionary spending and that most of the budget is personnel costs, noting that transportation and staff positions were among the areas examined for reductions. He also referenced a recent Moody’s sector report highlighting credit risks for Ohio districts in similar circumstances and urged the board to follow formal fund-balance policies and credible levy-planning strategies with contingencies if a levy fails.

Board members thanked the CAC for its work and emphasized the need for a community-facing explanation of potential cuts and concrete examples of programs that might be affected. Several board members said the district should “sell” its successes, use one-page materials and employ social media to reach voters, while presenters urged the board to prioritize maintaining staff and essential student services.

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting and adjourned after confirming next steps for the budget calendar.