School levies could have a tough time this Election Day
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Only one November school tax levy has failed in Franklin County in the last nine years, but school districts face a challenging climate this election cycle.
Why it matters: Schools could pay the price for this year's historic increase in property assessments, which increased owners' tax bills amid an already tough economy.
State of play: Seven of Franklin County's 16 districts will ask residents to raise their property taxes at the polls Tuesday.
- That's the most November school proposals since the 2008 election cycle, which came during the Great Recession, per Ohio School Boards Association data.
- COVID kept most local districts off the ballot in 2020 and 2021, but proposals are rebounding as districts face aging facilities, growing enrollment and higher operating costs.
Flashback: Just 19% of new school operating levies statewide passed in the March primary, far lower than during a typical election cycle.
- Bonds for construction also struggled, with just 20% passing.
- Franklin County districts didn't have levies or bonds on that ballot, but nearby Olentangy was handed a rare defeat as its buildings near capacity.
Zoom in: On Tuesday's ballot, five Franklin County districts — Grandview, Groveport Madison, Hilliard, New Albany and Westerville — are seeking bonds to fund facility construction and upgrades.
- Hilliard and Westerville each have combined proposals for bonds and operating levies.
- Bexley and Reynoldsburg are solely seeking operating levies.
Threat level: Some districts are already sharing reduction plans in case their issues fail.
- Hilliard would delay its building projects, reduce staff and programming, and increase student activities fees.
Pro tips: Check what's on your sample ballot and use Franklin County's levy estimator to see how your property taxes would be affected by a successful levy or bond issue.
Editor's note: This piece was corrected to show that there was one school tax levy that failed in the past nine years (not zero failing in the past 10 years), and that 20% (not 15%) of ballot items seeking bonds for construction have passed.