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Indian Hill board adopts fiscal-year tax budget; hears warnings about property-tax and voucher proposals
Summary
The board approved its FY 2027 tax budget and treasury report, authorized roofing and technology contracts, accepted a $1,000 donation for boys basketball, and heard detailed discussion about recent property-tax changes and pending legislation that board members say could threaten public-school funding.
The Indian Hill Exempted Village School District board adopted its fiscal-year 2027 tax budget and approved routine fiscal items at its first regular meeting.
Treasurer Mr. Davis presented the treasury report, which included approval of the December 9, 2025 minutes, financial reports for the month ending Dec. 31, 2025, and contract recommendations: the board authorized procurement of roofing replacement services for Indian Hill High School through the OC AEA consortium (Embus Roofing to be notified on contract award) and approved technology purchases including an annual cyber-security renewal and acquisition of 720 Acer Chromebooks for students. The board also accepted a $1,000 donation from Tamara and Eric Cantor to the boys basketball program. Members approved the superintendent and treasury reports by roll-call votes.
During the fiscal-year tax budget hearing, district finance staff said roughly 85–90% of the district’s revenue is derived from property taxes and that the district expects budget deficits in the coming fiscal year. Mr. Davis explained recent legislative and administrative changes affecting property-tax calculations: fixed-sum levies will now be counted toward the 20-mill floor in some cases, a cap of 8.5% on inflation-based inside-millage adjustments will be applied at reassessment, and counties plan to issue credits to taxpayers; the adjustments will complicate millage calculations and could reduce some districts’ inside millage. Mr. Davis also noted an ongoing constitutional amendment effort to abolish property taxes is an additional uncertainty.
A board member warned that pending legislation and court actions could transfer "over a billion dollars" into private‑school vouchers and urged families to contact legislators, saying such changes would significantly affect public-school funding. In response to a board question about per‑pupil state funding, Mr. Davis estimated state funds provide about $300 per student (excluding federal allocations), using the number to illustrate local reliance on property-tax revenue.
Board members noted Indian Hill’s comparatively low millage in Hamilton County and approved the fiscal-year 2027 tax budget by motion and roll-call vote. Trustees also discussed facilities planning: roofing work is expected to begin moving materials the week of Memorial Day with construction scheduled over the summer; administration will provide a more detailed timeline following a pre-construction meeting.
The board closed with comments about setting multi-year priorities and a deliberate superintendent search with public input; Dr. Stewart will continue as interim superintendent while the process proceeds.
