Princeton City School District Board of Education Approves Resolution for Emergency Operating Levy
The Princeton City School District Board of Education has filed to place a 6.61-mill emergency operating levy on the May 6, 2025 ballot. The proposed levy aims to generate $12.8 million annually over ten years to prevent an operating deficit in the district. This levy of taxes is estimated by the county auditor to average 6.61 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $231 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised home value for a period of ten years, beginning in 2025. No money would be collected until the calendar year 2026.
The Board voted on January 8 and January 27 to proceed with the submission of an additional tax levy after a failed levy in November 2024. In Hamilton County, the November levy was 48.8% for the additional operating expenses and 51.2% against. In Butler and Warren counties, the results were closer to 43% for and 57% against.
The Board determined that current revenue sources, including existing tax levies and funds from state and federal governments, will be insufficient to maintain the district's operations without additional funding. If approved by voters, the new levy would begin collection in 2026.
"This resolution represents a crucial step in ensuring the continued financial stability of our school district," said Board President Jon Simons. "The proposed levy will help us maintain the high-quality educational services our community expects and our students deserve."
The levy will appear on ballots across the district's entire territory, which includes portions of Hamilton, Butler, and Warren Counties. The Board's decision follows careful consideration of the district's financial needs and future operational requirements.
Community input is being taken into account at Listening Sessions held in the community and school buildings from January 14 through March 15, 2025. These sessions allow community stakeholders to give input about school funding and on reductions and changes due to budget constraints. Dates, times, and locations of the meetings can be found on the district website at https://www.princetonschools.net/article/1964278.
Next steps will include more specific decisions about the slated budget cuts, along with Community Conversations, where the public will be invited to hear about facts regarding the financial situation of the district, the capital improvement plan, cuts, and implications if additional funding from the state or federal levels changes.
Additional information can be found: https://www.princetonschools.net/page/levy.
Princeton City School District's Post-Levy Update
Cincinnati, OH — December 10, 2024 — The Princeton City School District has announced immediate and potential budget adjustments following the failure of the November 5, 2024, levy. These measures aim to preserve educational opportunities while addressing significant funding gaps.
Superintendent G. Elgin Card emphasized community support: "We deeply value our community's support for public education and understand concerns about rising costs. The Board and administrative team are committed to reducing expenses with minimal impact on student learning and preserving the Princeton Advantage."
Key details include:
Immediate Estimated Savings: $472,192 will be saved during the 2024-25 school year through a hiring freeze, reduced professional development, and operational cost adjustments.
Upcoming Reductions: $5,299,378 in reductions will be made during the 2025-2026 school year.
Long-term Adjustments: If additional funding isn't secured by 2025, deeper cuts will follow in 2026-2027, including additional staff reductions and operational changes.
Transportation Changes: Starting in January 2025, Secondary Activity Buses for after-school programs will no longer run on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Field Trip Adjustments: Only trips fully funded by grants will be considered.
Operational Cost Reductions: Summer building closures and delayed maintenance projects will contribute $230,000 of the immediate estimated savings, with $1,260,000 more projected to be reduced in 2025-2026.
The district has reduced over 40 positions in the past two years, mostly through attrition, and further consolidations may occur as retirements or staff departures arise. Additionally, non-essential substitute staffing will be eliminated.
Treasurer Chris Poetter highlighted the fiscal reality: “The levy failure leaves a $10.6 million loss in revenue for 2025, making budget adjustments critical to maintaining a sound financial outlook."
Looking Ahead:
A levy proposal may return to the ballot in 2025.
Community feedback is being actively sought during Listening Sessions in each community.
The district website has more information and updates at https://www.princetonschools.net/page/levy.
The dates for the Community Listening Sessions will be posted soon.
The Princeton City School District remains committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility while prioritizing student success and community partnership. Princeton remains loyal to its mission of “Empowering each student for college, career, and life success.”
For more information, please contact: Tricia Roddy, Director of Communications, Princeton City School District, 3900 Cottingham Drive Cincinnati, OH 45241 or troddy@vikingmail.org