COLUMBUS, Ohio — Westerville, Hilliard, Marysville and several other school districts across central Ohio had levies and bonds on the ballot.
The levies and bonds were aimed at helping continue and/or provide additional funding for standard operations, expansions, improvements and more.
According to the Ohio School Boards Association, voters across the state approved 51% of the school tax issues on the ballot. This is a decrease from the 2023 general election when 70% of the school issues were approved.
“Last night’s levy results are a tough reminder of the challenges Ohio’s schools are facing,” Ohio School Boards Association Director of Legislative Services Jennifer Hogue said. “These results indicate that many communities are struggling to support local funding for education, likely impacted by the economic pressures felt across the state. School levies provide essential funding for academic programs, student services and school operations. Without these resources, schools are limited in their ability to maintain and expand student opportunities. Districts must make difficult choices without these local funds that could limit those programs and opportunities.”
While election results are complete, they have not yet been officially certified by the Ohio Secretary of State.
ELECTION RESULTS: From the presidential race to statewide races and local issues, you can get the latest election results here and on 10TV+, 10TV.com, the 10TV News app.
Here’s a look at the live results for some of the levies and bonds around central Ohio.
For more levy and bond results in your county, click the corresponding name below.
Bexley City Schools
Voters approved Bexley City Schools tax. The proposal called for an initial 5 mill tax, followed by annual increases of 2.5 mills in years two through five, spanning from 2025-2029, according to the district. The levy will fund daily, current operational expenses and maintain current academic offerings and student services.
Buckeye Valley Local School District
As the buildings in the district near capacity, leaders put a 4.46 mill bond levy on the ballot to provide funding for a new high school and other district projects. Voters struck the $100 million bond issue down on Tuesday. The levy was estimated to cost a Buckeye Valley homeowner $156 annually per $100,000 of assessed property value.
Grandview Heights City School District
Grandview Heights Schools placed a $69.5 million bond on the ballot this November and voters appeared to have approved it. The bond issue included $52.2 million for the construction of a new Stevenson Elementary School and $17.3 million for Phase 1 and 2 improvements to the district’s K-12 athletic complex.
Groveport Madison Local School District
The proposed bond issue would have provided the district with $78.3 million to construct, improve, furnish and equip three new middle schools and an addition to Groveport Madison High School. The cost to homeowners whose house has an appraised value of $100,000 would have been 23.4 cents per day.
Hilliard City Schools
Voters seemingly passed a levy and bond issue in Hilliard that will help build new elementary schools and provide renovations to school playgrounds and extracurricular areas.
The levy and bond appeared to pass with 53% of Hilliard residents voting in favor of the measure. The district said the results are unofficial but made a Facebook post thanking the community for its support.
Madison-Plains Local School District
The district aimed to secure funding through a bond issue to construct a new K-8 building. The district requested 4.3 mills, which equates to $151 per $100,000 of the council auditor's appraised value.
Marysville Exempted Village School District
Voters in Marysville struck down a 5.5 mill emergency levy. Superintendent Diane Allen and the district’s treasurer, Todd Johnson said it would have generated around $6.4 million annually and allowed the district to sustain its operations in the next five years.
New Albany Plain Local Schools
The 4.46-mill bond issue will fund projects in the district's Campus Master Plan. The levy will bring in $135 million to address current capacity, increasing enrollment and the needs of students.
Reynoldsburg City School District
Voters struck down a 6.65 mill emergency levy that Reynoldsburg City Schools placed on the November ballot.
Leaders say the district began deficit spending in the 2023 fiscal year, meaning the district was spending more money than it brought in. The money was being spent on bus fuel, utilities and salaries for staff members, according to school leaders.
Westerville City Schools
A 4.9 mill levy and 1.66 mill bond issue placed on the ballot by Westerville City Schools failed.
The money was going to be used for constructing school facilities and renovating, improving and constructing additions to buildings.
