Voters pass levies for Cincinnati schools, county children's services
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CPS is proud of its accomplishment over the past few years, but acknowledged there's still room for improvement. Photo: Casey Weldon/Axios
Cincinnati Public Schools' request for $66 million in additional annual funding got approval from voters Tuesday, per unofficial results from the Hamilton County Board of Elections that showed 100% of precincts reporting.
Why it matters: The outcome will shape the future of Ohio's second-largest school district, which has already cut more than 100 positions to help close a $58 million budget gap.
- District officials warned before the election that without new money, CPS could face school consolidations, transportation cuts and pay-to-play athletics.
By the numbers: Nearly 61% of voters supported Issue 4, per the county elections board.
The backstory: After backlash over a proposed earned-income tax, the school board switched to a five-year, 7-mill property tax levy costing homeowners $245 annually per $100,000 of home value.
- Business leaders opposed that plan, too, questioning the size of the increase, how CPS would spend the money and the prospect of future tax hikes for aging buildings.
- They also worried it could hurt the chances of passing Hamilton County's Children's Services levy, which they supported.
- A Republican-linked dark-money group contributed $50,000 to the CPS opposition campaign and allegedly paid protestors to appear at polling places, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
What they're saying: Superintendent Shauna Murphy thanked voters for their support, saying the funding will help protect the district's progress and give students the support they need to succeed.
- "We know residents are paying for this investment," she said in a statement. "We will explain where the money goes and report on student results."
💰 Also: Hamilton County voters approved Issue 10, renewing and increasing the Children's Services levy for four years.
- The measure should raise about $117 million annually for foster care, child protection and related services, costing homeowners roughly $121 per $100,000 of home value, up from $82.
- County officials said rising foster care costs and more children with complex needs made the increase necessary.
🇺🇸 In congressional races, Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman won another term in Ohio's 1st District, per the Associated Press. The district which covers Cincinnati, other parts of Hamilton County and two nearby counties.
- Landsman won 64.6% of the vote in Hamilton County, but just 40.2% in Warren County, where Conroy took around 57%.
- Republican U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson also won reelection, per AP, defeating Democrat Vanessa Enoch. The district stretches from northern Hamilton County through Butler County and into several counties further north.
🏛️ Locally, Democrat Meeka Owens easily defeated Republican Jonathan Pearson and independent Carrie Davis to become Hamilton County commissioner.
- Owens, a Cincinnati City Council member, defeated incumbent Stephanie Summerow Dumas in the Democratic primary.
🏫 More school levies: The only other school tax levy to pass was the one for Sycamore Community City School District.
- Voters struck down tax proposals supporting public schools in the districts of North College Hill, Northwest Local, Southwest Local and Winton Woods.