Legislation: Balanced Property Tax Reform

Families across Ohio deserve relief from rising property taxes, and communities deserve strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and reliable public services. Achieving both is possible, but only if the responsibility is shared fairly among families, local governments, businesses, and the state.

The Yellow Springs Exempted Village School District (EVSD) recognizes that change is necessary, and our team is committed to being part of the solution. However, reforms must be balanced to protect both taxpayers and the future of public education.

What happened?

• State Policy Shifts: Over time, state-level decisions have placed greater reliance on local property taxes to fund schools. State-level tax policy changes have shifted the burden dramatically: homeowners and farmers now carry nearly 70% of the load—the highest in state history.
   

• School District Actions: Unlike those who blame schools for rising property taxes, Ohio schools are allies of taxpayers. Districts have already implemented consolidations, shared services, and efficiency measures to reduce costs while protecting student learning.
   

• Changing Tax Burden: The balance has shifted significantly: homeowners and farmers now pay nearly 70% of school property taxes, compared to just 47% in 1991. Businesses, by contrast, carry a far smaller share than they once did.
   

• Community Actions: Residents can play an important role by:

  • Talking directly with legislators about the need for fair reform.

  • Engaging neighbors and community members in conversations about equity.

  • Advocating for solutions that ensure our schools remain strong and property tax reform is balanced.

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Yellow Springs EVSD Commitments

• Transparency:  We will continue to be clear about where funding comes from and how it is spent, ensuring accountability to taxpayers.

• Empathy:  Property taxes feel high because they are high—homeowners and farmers are paying more than ever before.

• Partnership:  We support reforms that relieve families while also ensuring strong schools and safe, thriving communities.

Key Point

Unlike those who blame schools for rising property taxes, Ohio schools are allies of taxpayers. State-level tax policy changes have shifted the burden dramatically: homeowners and farmers now carry nearly 70% of the load—the highest in state history.

Balanced reform is necessary. Families deserve relief. Schools and communities deserve stability. Together, both are possible.

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The Myth of Exploding School Budgets

Despite what you may hear, school funding hasn’t exploded. In fact, over the last 20 years, schools have been asked to take on significantly more (advanced technology requirements, safety upgrades, expanded student mental health and social emotional support, including additional required training and compliance), but the funding to pay for these initiatives has barely budged. When you adjust for inflation, state revenue per student has only grown by a fraction of a percent each year. Schools are being asked to do much more with essentially the same resources.

1. State revenues have not kept pace.

• From 2000 to 2022, overall state revenue actually decreased by 2.2% after inflation.
• On a per student basis, state revenue grew just 6.6% over 22 years — that’s only about 0.3% a year.
  ➡️ In other words, state funding for each student has been essentially flat for two decades.

2. School spending increases look big until you break them down.

• Overall, school spending rose 9.4% over 22 years — that’s only 0.43% a year after inflation.
• On a per-student basis, spending grew 19.4% over 22 years, or about 0.88% a year after inflation.
  ➡️  This marginal growth per year that schools see (less than 1%) is hardly the “massive increase” some claim.

3. Expectations have skyrocketed while funding hasn’t.

• Schools are asked to provide far more today than in 2000: new technology, safety measures, mental health supports, career readiness pathways, and more.
• Yet the dollars to support those responsibilities have stayed nearly flat.
• Additionally, state money for public schools has shifted to the charter/parochial/private sector, who have very few compliance requirements.

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How to Advocate

1. Contact your legislators about the need for balanced reform. For Yellow Springs EVSD, they are:

• Representative Brian Lampton (R-Beavercreek): Ohio House District 70, 77 South High Street, 13th Floor, Columbus, OH, 43215, (614) 644-6020
   
• Representative Levi Dean (R-Xenia): Ohio House District 71, 77 South High Street, 11th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215, (614) 466-1470
   
• Senator Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield): Ohio Senate District 10, Senate Building, 1 Capitol Square, Ground Floor 035, Columbus, OH 43215, (614) 466-3780 

2. Ask: What would losing teachers, staff, or programs mean for our community? How does a thriving public school system contribute to the uniqueness of Yellow Springs?
    
3. Share this information with neighbors, friends, business leaders, and community groups to amplify the collective voice of Yellow Springs residents.

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Moving Forward

Yellow Springs EVSD students deserve stable, equitable resources that reflect today’s educational costs and community priorities. Thoughtful tax reform is welcome; unfunded mandates are not. By engaging legislators now, residents can protect instructional quality, public safety, and the economic vitality of the entire village, today and for generations to come.

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