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School board approves year‑end and FY27 appropriations, advances budget cuts and multiple levy certifications
Summary
The Cincinnati School Board approved a final FY26 appropriation and an initial FY27 appropriation, voted to actualize a set of budget reductions (including furlough days and program eliminations), and sent multiple levy scenarios — including a property‑tax option and an earned‑income tax certification — to county and state officials for revenue estimates.
The Cincinnati School Board on June 22 approved the appropriations that let the district close FY26 and begin the FY27 spending cycle, and it advanced administration recommendations to calculate savings from proposed personnel and program cuts as part of a larger effort to close an estimated $157.7 million budget gap.
Treasurer August explained that the FY27 general‑fund appropriation matches the board’s budget target of $630.2 million and that the appropriation resolution establishes the legal spending cap by fund. The administration told the board that closing the remaining gap requires a combination of measures, including reductions in force, district‑wide furlough days, a 10% cut to school non‑personnel budgets, and program eliminations.
Superintendent Murphy and the treasurer asked the board to approve four categories so staff could 'actualize' savings and avoid double‑counting (positions vs. employees, vacancy savings, furlough calculations). Administration estimated the five furlough days would save roughly $7.5 million; a 10% non‑personnel reduction was estimated at about $665,000; and eliminating the International Baccalaureate program was expected to save about $1 million. The district also noted transportation costs likely require roughly $14 million of additional funding next year.
The board voted to approve the administration's recommendations to move forward with the calculations and processes needed to finalize the budget, with recorded exceptions and at least one abstention noted on the roll call.
Formal actions and votes - Final FY26 appropriation (motion introduced by Board member Bolton): approved unanimously by roll call to close the fiscal year and authorize statutory advances where needed. - FY27 appropriation (initial annual appropriation to enable spending in FY27; general fund $630.2 million): approved by roll call. - Budget recommendations to actualize reductions (reductions in force lists, furlough days, 10% non‑personnel cuts, elimination of IB): approved by roll call with recorded abstentions/exceptions (some board members registered targeted exceptions for counselors, social workers and the purchasing team).
Levy certifications and next steps Financial staff and the finance committee recommended placing a five‑year fixed‑rate levy before voters in November 2026 to begin collections in January 2027; the recommended size was 7.0 mills (estimated to generate about $64.8 million annually). The board directed administration to request millage certification from the county auditor for several fixed‑rate scenarios (including 7.0 and 8.0 mills) and to request certification from the Ohio Department of Taxation for an earned‑income tax scenario (five years; an amount the board asked be sized to match an 8‑mill property levy, roughly $74 million), so the district can compare options before a final decision.
The board recorded multiple votes on levy declarations of necessity: the 7.0‑mill request moved forward; a resolution to seek an 8.0‑mill certificate also moved forward; a 6.5‑mill request failed. The board separately approved sending a request to state tax authorities to estimate the percentage and revenue for a five‑year earned‑income tax to raise approximately $74 million annually.
Administration emphasized that the November timeline allows potential levy revenue to begin flowing in January 2027 and be available for FY28 planning; any delay would push collections and program investment later and leave the district to operate under continued austerity. Trustees said they wanted a strategic plan and implementation details linked to any levy ask and asked for extensive community outreach and union engagement before the final ballot decision.
What the board approved that night: permanent appropriation resolutions for FY26 closeout and FY27 startup; direction to staff to finalize calculations for the recommended cost‑saving measures; and multiple requests for levy millage and tax‑type certification so the district can model revenue scenarios before a final levy decision.
