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Article Summary
North College Hill City Schools are warning of another $1.8 million in budget cuts if voters reject a 1.25% earned income tax levy on Nov. 3. The district already cut $2.1 million and eliminated 23 positions after voters rejected the same levy in May. Additional reductions could affect teachers, class sizes, athletics, arts and academic programs.
North College Hill City Schools are warning of deeper budget cuts next school year if voters reject a proposed tax levy in November.
The district is asking voters to approve a 1.25% earned income tax levy on the Nov. 3 ballot.
District officials say the measure would help prevent another $1.8 million in cuts to the general budget for the 2027-28 school year.
The warning comes after voters rejected the same levy in May. That failure prompted the district to cut about $2.1 million from its current-year budget and eliminate 23 positions, including 18 teachers and five support staff members.
North College Hill levy returns to ballot
The 1.25% earned income tax levy was rejected by voters during the May primary election, with 56.63% voting against it, according to election results reported by WCPO.
The district has now placed the same proposal back on the November ballot as it continues to deal with a significant budget gap.
Superintendent Eugene Blalock said the district was notified that it needs to reduce its general budget by approximately $1.8 million for the 2027-28 school year.
District officials have attributed the financial pressure largely to changes in state education funding rather than local spending.
Previous cuts already affected students
North College Hill began the 2026-27 school year after making significant reductions following the May levy defeat.
The district eliminated 23 positions, including 18 teaching positions and five support positions. It also cut several programs and activities, including fifth- and sixth-grade band, high school jazz band, soccer and some academic support programs.
District officials have warned that another $1.8 million reduction could lead to additional staffing cuts and larger class sizes.
WCPO reported that Blalock has said the district could need to eliminate at least 10 to 15 additional staff positions if the levy does not pass. WLWT separately reported that the superintendent warned of potentially 15 to 30 job cuts by 2028.
Sports and other programs could face cuts
Additional reductions could extend beyond staffing.
District officials have said extracurricular activities, athletics and academic programs could be affected if the levy fails. Potential reductions discussed by the district include sports, band, choir, drama and arts programs.
Class sizes could also increase. WCPO reported that current class sizes of roughly 20 to 22 students could rise to between 25 and 28 students under deeper cuts.
The district has also warned that reductions could affect professional development and academic intervention programs.
State funding remains a major issue
North College Hill officials have pointed to changes in Ohio’s school funding system as a major factor behind the district’s financial problems.
Blalock said the district expected significantly more state funding under the state’s Fair School Funding Plan but received substantially less than anticipated. WCPO reported that he estimated the district would have received more than $8 million under the funding formula but received about $1.8 million.
The superintendent has argued that the district’s financial situation is not the result of mismanagement or excessive administrative spending.
The district says its administrative office has only four employees, and officials have indicated that further administrative reductions would not be enough to resolve the budget problem.
What happens if the levy fails?
If voters reject the 1.25% earned income tax levy again, North College Hill officials say they will have to identify another $1.8 million in reductions for the next school year.
The district has not finalized every potential cut. However, officials have identified staffing, athletics, extracurricular activities, arts programs and academic support as areas that could be affected.
FAQs
What programs have already been cut?
Among the reductions were fifth- and sixth-grade band, high school jazz band, soccer and several academic support programs.
Could teachers lose their jobs if the levy fails?
Yes. District officials have warned that additional staffing reductions could be necessary. Estimates reported by local media range from at least 10 to 15 additional staff members to potentially 15 to 30 positions by 2028.
Why does the district say it needs additional money?
District officials point primarily to changes in state education funding and rising operating costs. Superintendent Eugene Blalock has said the district’s financial problems are not the result of mismanagement.
How much state funding does North College Hill expect?
The district says it expected about $8.4 million under the state’s modified Fair School Funding Plan but expects roughly $1.76 million for 2026-27.
