May 6 Ballot information

What is Princeton's Issue on the Ballot?

May 6, 2025 Levy Request

Disclaimer: The information being provided is merely factual. District personnel are not allowed to advocate for or against the passage of a levy or bond issue during times they are being compensated by the district.

May 6, 2025 Levy Request

www.hcauditor.org

TAXING DISTRICT: Princeton City School District

ELECTION DATE: 6-May-25

LEVY TYPE: Additional

LEVY PURPOSE: Emergency

TERM OF LEVY: 10 Years

PROPOSED MILLAGE: 6.61 Mills

ESTIMATED ANNUAL REVENUE: $12,800,000

ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST TO HOMEOWNER with $100,000 MARKET VALUE* : $231

CURRENT ANNUAL COST TO HOMEOWNER with $100,000 MARKET VALUE*: $0

*Estimated cost based on a $100,000 (market value) residential property not receiving the non-business, owner occupancy, and sales tax credits on the qualifying levy.

💲CURRENT FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

  • School districts need money to maintain operations, and voted levies are the main source of funding for most districts in Ohio.

  • State law freezes how much districts receive from voted levies - providing the same dollar amount year after year. As home values increase, the county auditor lowers the tax rate, which is called “effective” millage.

  • Flat funding from the State and voted levies have not matched rising operational costs.  This has caused our annual expenses to exceed our revenues.

  • Princeton has not approved a new voted millage in six (6) years.


⚡FUNDING CHALLENGES & IMPACTS

  • Operating funds support the day-to-day expenses of running our schools, such as paying teachers and support staff, buying classroom supplies, fueling buses, paying for utilities, and more.

  • Some immediate reductions were applied after the November 2024 levy failed, which made an impact on our budget.

    • 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 has been eliminated.

  • Additional cuts may create larger class sizes. Reductions in support staff positions may impact teacher planning/preparation and building support.

🗳️MAY 2025 LEVY REQUEST

  • Princeton City Schools’ levy on the May 6, 2025 ballot is a 6.61 mill emergency levy.

  • This levy is to maintain current education programs, continue implementing the district’s strategic plan, and keep up with rising daily expenses.

  • This levy will cost $19.28 per month per $100,000 of home value as determined by the county auditor. Look up your home value:

  • The most recent levy for additional operating funds was passed in 2016.


📞STATE REPRESENTATIVES

Legislators need to hear from their voters that public school education is important to them just like the nonpublic school families. Past, current, and future public school families need to reach out to their legislators and tell them why public schools are personally important to them.

🗓️IMPORTANT DATES

  • March 30, 2025 - Festival of the Arts, Viking Village, noon to 5:00 PM

  • March 31, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting, PAC, 6:30 PM

  • April 7, 2025 - Voter Registration Deadline

  • April 8, 2025 - Early Voting/Absentee Voting Starts

  • April 10, 2025 - Future Ready Fair, Viking Village, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

  • April 14, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting, PAC, 6:30 PM

  • April 28, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting, PAC, 6:30 PM

  • May 6, 2025 - Election Day; polls open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM


🖥️MORE INFORMATION


How Much Is It Really?

The mill levy is the "tax rate" that is applied to the assessed value of a property. One mill is one dollar per $1,000 dollars of assessed value. To help all voters understand what the levy will cost property owners, this chart gives you a clear explanation.

The current levy proposal is a 6.61 mill emergency levy based on the assessed value of property is 35% of its current county appraised value. This levy has a term limit of 10 years. In order to find the levy cost, plug your home’s value into this formula:

Appraised Value x 35%County Assessment x 6.61 millage rate = Annual Cost / Monthly Cost

6.61 millage costs the average homeowner

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/2047237.

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.

Voter Information

Complete your registration online, at the Secretary of State’s website: voteohio.gov

Identification Required

You must provide your Ohio driver’s license OR Ohio state identification card number (contains two letters and six digits), AND the last four digits of your Social Security number.

If you do not have a valid Ohio driver’s license or Ohio state identification card you must register by U.S. mail or in person.

Voter Registration Deadline is April 7, 2025

Early Voting In Person starts April 8, 2025. This includes the last two Saturdays, and the last two Sundays before Election Day.

Absentee/Vote by Mail starts April 8, 2025

Election Day is May 6, 2025; Polls open at 6:30 AM until 7:30 PM

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Princeton City School District's Post-Levy Failure Update

Sharonville, 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:

  1. 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.

  2. Upcoming Reductions:  $5,299,378 in reductions will be made during the 2025-2026 school year. 

  3. 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.

  4. Transportation Changes: Starting in January 2025, Secondary Activity Buses for after-school programs will no longer run on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  5. Field Trip Adjustments: Only trips fully funded by grants will be considered.

  6. 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 media inquiries, please contact: 

  • Tricia Roddy, Director of Communications

  • 3900 Cottingham Drive

  • Cincinnati, OH 45241

  • troddy@vikingmail.org 

  • 513.864.1093

Due to the failure of the November 5, 2024, school levy in the Princeton City School District, the Board of Education approved a resolution announcing planned and potential cost reductions for the current and next two school years. The potential funding cuts will depend upon passing a levy in 2025, staffing changes due to retirements, people leaving the district to take a position in another district, and other cost reductions that minimally impact student learning.

“After listening to voters and stakeholders, we found that our community members do support our public schools and the unique opportunities Princeton offers,” explains G. Elgin Card, superintendent. “However, voters are concerned about their bills and paying taxes. We get that, and the rising costs affect schools as well. Therefore, the Board and our administrative team have worked together to find ways to streamline costs and identify areas of reduction. We know keeping a trim budget is important. We are working to minimize the impact on our students' learning and opportunities considered the Princeton Advantage.”

Treasurer Chris Poetter explains, "The levy failure leaves a $10.6 million loss in revenue for 2025, making budget adjustments critical to maintaining a sound financial outlook." The district has already identified $472,192 in estimated savings for the remainder of the current school year through measures such as a hiring freeze, reduced professional development costs, and adjustments in operational expenditures.

Over the past two years, forty positions at Princeton City Schools have been eliminated. Most of these positions were as staff retired or left positions, and the open vacancies were filled or absorbed by staff already working for the district in other roles. This was done intentionally, knowing that ESSER funding was being phased out in 2024. Five staff members from PCSD were let go before the start of the 2024-25 school year, specifically because they had been hired with ESSER funding, which was no longer available.

To save costs and make the most of available resources, Princeton has adopted strategies like sharing teachers or other staff between buildings. This approach ensures that students across multiple locations can access specialized services, even if resources are limited.

For instance, when a staff position becomes vacant, administrators may choose to have an existing teacher split their time between two schools. This allows both schools to maintain access to the program while balancing teacher-to-student ratios and optimizing staffing levels. Although families may sometimes express concerns about needing a dedicated staff member in their school, this strategy has been used effectively in the past to meet student needs while managing budgets efficiently.

The Princeton Board of Education approved the budget reduction plans on Monday, December 9, 2024. The first list (Exhibit A-Current Reductions) includes areas of reduction for the current school year, effective in January 2025. The second (Exhibit A-Additional Reductions) list shows potential cuts that may be made before the start of the 2025-26 school year. The third list includes additional reductions for the 2026-27 school year, if no funding changes are made, including failure of any levy placed on the ballot in 2025. 

The upcoming changes in January 2025 include a hiring freeze for the second semester and a reduction of professional development learning opportunities for educators and staff. Princeton has had a robust professional development day called Viking University, which will be canceled. Staff will still report to their current work site that day and attend training provided by the internal staff only. Other professional development and workshops will be only approved if they are mandatory for health, safety, or legal purposes to stay in compliance with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) or grant funding. 

The most impactful for parents and students is the reduction of Secondary Activity buses that are used for extracurricular activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students at Princeton Community Middle School and Princeton High School have relied on First Student Transportation if they stay after school for extra help, take assessments, or participate in clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities. The programs will continue to be offered in January through May; however, the buses that provide transportation home from these activities will not be provided. This will be a $50,000 savings for the remainder of the year and a $100,000 savings in subsequent years. At this time, all other scheduled bus routes will be in operation.

Along with buses, field trips paid for out of the General Operating Fund that have not already been approved will be eliminated. Field trips that have 100% grant coverage, including all fees and transportation costs covered, can be submitted to the administration for consideration of approval. 

During the summer, from June 23 to July 25, all District buildings will be closed Fridays through Sundays. Employees will work 10-hour days Monday through Thursday. The cost savings for reducing the summer operating hours of the buildings will be approximately $30,000. 

With the closing of buildings over weekends during the summer and delaying projects such as paving, roofing, and HVAC maintenance, the Operations Department will reduce its budget by $200,000.

After polling parents about communication needs and the mailings of progress reports and report cards, 70% of our survey respondents in English indicated they prefer to get these reports electronically. About 85% of our non-English speaking families prefer to get the reports electronically since they can be easily translated online. Eliminating this mailing will save the district around $7,000. Offering student handbooks online rather than printed, bound copies will save $20,000.

The district will work to reduce the need for substitute teachers and paraprofessionals. Substitute teachers must cover a specific staff member. Building, Long Term, and Daily substitutes to cover the absence of a teacher will continue to be approved. The district will not employ substitutes for short-term special projects, testing, teacher collaboration, IEP meetings, or non-instructional duties. This ensures that substitute resources are prioritized for maintaining classroom continuity and instructional support. Depending on the assignment, Substitutes are paid $100 or $150 per day. Across the eleven buildings, cutting extra substitutes that are contracted from Hamilton County Educational Service Center will save approximately $10,000.

In addition to the $472,192 in estimated savings for the remainder of the current year, an additional $5,299,378 may be reduced prior to the start of the 2025/26 school year.  The list of possible expense reductions for 2025-2026 that are on the table will depend on balancing class sizes, reducing the Administrative/Non-Bargaining staff positions and pay increases (Step Freeze), and reducing building and department budgets by 10% or more of non-fixed costs. The Building and Operations Department will reduce its budget by $1,260,000.

Reducing teaching and paraprofessional positions and staff supplemental contacts will depend on how many current employees retire or leave the district to take positions elsewhere. The district will work to reorganize staffing to accommodate classroom needs and consolidate positions where possible. Reduction in force may be considered. 

The Princeton Board of Education has not voted on the next step to return to the ballot for a levy, but it will likely be on the agenda in January to make a resolution. 

If a levy is not passed in 2025, funding for the district will be out of compliance and require significant changes (Exhibit B). This could include closing school buildings in the 2026-27 school year. There have been no decisions on which buildings, and the board understands that communities value having neighborhood schools. 

Princeton has plans for public engagement and feedback to hear community concerns. Listening Sessions will be held at each school building and public locations in the community. These meetings will not have formal presentations, and no more than two Board members may attend each meeting. This is an opportunity for the public to share concerns about our school district’s financial stability. 

Resolution for cuts approved December 9, 2024 - page 1

Resolution for cuts approved December 9, 2024 - page 2

Exhibit A

Resolution for cuts approved December 9, 2024 - page 3

Resolution for Budget Reduction Plan Submission
Princeton City School District – Exhibits A & B: Budget Reductions

Princeton City School District continues its dedication to fiscal responsibility while ensuring our students' best possible educational environment. In response to ongoing financial constraints, the district has prepared a detailed cost reduction plan that addresses the remainder of the 2024/25 school year and projections for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 school years.

Board of Education Approval for a Resolution made on Monday, December 9, 2024.

The budget reduction plan requires the approval of the Princeton Board of Education to implement the outlined measures. These reductions are necessary to align expenditures with projected revenues while minimizing adverse impacts on our students and programs.

Budget Reductions Overview

Exhibit A – Current Reductions for the 2024/25 School Year

The district has already identified $472,192 in estimated savings for the remainder of the current school year through measures such as a hiring freeze, reduced professional development costs, and adjustments in operational expenditures. An additional $5,299,378 may be reduced prior to the start of the 2025/26 school year. 

Exhibit A & B - Budget Reductions 

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Cumulative Impact of Proposed Measures

The proposed reductions would result in significant fiscal stabilization while allowing the district to adapt to changing financial realities. 

Next Steps

The resolution of the Princeton Board of Education includes:

  1. Descriptions of each reduction and their anticipated financial impacts.

  2. An analysis of the educational and operational implications for staff and students.

  3. Plans for public engagement and communication to address community concerns.

    1. Listening Sessions will be held at each Princeton school building and community location—all will be open to the public. The Administration will give no formal presentation, and no more than two Board of Education members may attend these events. This is an opportunity for the public to share concerns about our school district's financial stability.

Commitment to Transparency and Community Collaboration

We understand that these decisions will raise questions and concerns among our stakeholders. Princeton City School District is committed to maintaining open communication, providing updates, and working with families, staff, and community members to navigate this process together.

Your support is vital as we take these proactive steps to secure the future of Princeton City School District.

Listening Dates:

Please mark your calendars and attend a Listening Session with Princeton City School's Superintendent, G. Elgin Card, and Treasurer, Chris Poetter. These sessions will allow Princeton to listen to stakeholders' perspectives and ideas about the school district. We invite all community members to join these sessions and provide feedback on shaping the director of our schools. Your input will guide us as we explore potential changes for the future.

Listening Sessions in the Community

Listening Sessions Outside of School Buildings:

Tuesday, February 25 - Woodlawn Recreation Center - 10050 Woodlawn Blvd. 6:00-7:00 PM

Thursday, February 27 - Sharonville Recreation Center's Meeting Room on the lower level - 10990 Thornview Drive, 6:00-7:00 PM

Wednesday, March 12 - Springdale Parks & Recreation Center - 11999 Lawnview Avenue, Springdale, 6:00-7:00 PM

PAST LISTENING SESSIONS held in school buildings:

January 14 - Stewart - 11850 Conrey Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249; PTSO meeting follows Listening Session

January 21 - Woodlawn - 31 Riddle Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45215

January 23 - Sharonville - 11150 Maple St, Cincinnati, OH 45241

January 28 - Princeton High School - Viking Room, 100 Viking Way, Cincinnati, OH 45246

January 29 - Lincoln Heights - 1113 Adams St, Cincinnati, OH 45215

February 3 - Superintendent's Advisory and Listening Session at Princeton Administration Center - 3900 Cottingham Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45241

February 4 - Springdale - 350 W Kemper Rd, Springdale, OH 45246

February 6 - Glendale - 930 Congress Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45246

February 11 - Evendale - 3940 Glendale Milford Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241

February 13 - Princeton Community Middle School - 200 Viking Way, Cincinnati, OH 45246

February 13* - Innovation Center 3:00-4:00 PM* (note time change) - Princeton Administration Center, 3900 Cottingham Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45241

February 19 - Heritage Hill - 11961 Chesterdale Rd, Springdale, OH 45246

February 20 - Make up/Snow Day

Community Town Hall:

Saturday, January 25 - St. Monica’s Center - 10022 Chester Road - (Park on Douglas Street), Lincoln Heights; RSVP date on Friday, January 17 at 513-771-7806. Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 25th from 10am-12pm.

Voters Rejected November 2024 Princeton Levy

The Princeton City School District faces $10.6 million in cuts and reductions after voters rejected a 5.00-mill operating levy on November 5 that would have provided additional funding to Princeton City Schools for operating expenses. 

“Cuts hurt our schools, our students, and our community. The failure of this levy has jeopardized the fiscal stability of our schools and places our district at a financial cliff with millions in reductions that will now have to be made,” said Jon Simons, president of the Princeton Board of Education. “The passage of this levy would have provided important funding to the day-to-day work of our teachers and schools. This levy was vital to Princeton City Schools; it would have protected the investment we have all made in our children, schools, and community.” 

Princeton’s last operating levy was passed in 2019 with the expectation to return to the ballot for a levy in 2022. The timeframe has been stretched to last two years longer than expected due to cost savings from ESSER funding. 

“We kept our commitment to stretch the last levy for as long as possible while remaining fiscally responsible,” said G. Elgin Card, superintendent. “It is very unfortunate that this levy did not pass, as it will be a great challenge to reconcile the critical day-to-day needs we face in our schools without compromising the high-quality educational experience that our children deserve.”

According to Board of Election results, Tuesday’s vote broke down as follows:

Hamilton County:  51.2% Against, 48.8% For

Butler County: 56.60% Against, 43.40% For

Warren County: 56.76% Against, 43.24% For


“Regardless of this outcome, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the volunteers who dedicated countless hours to ensuring that our community was informed about the facts facing our schools,” continued Card. “While disappointed with the result, we are incredibly appreciative of their efforts, and we will seek to better understand why we were not successful.”

Card said that the district’s needs do not go away with failure, and the board will soon begin to review and prepare to make necessary cuts and reductions. “I want to assure our families that we will continue to make every decision with the best interest of our students in mind. We simply cannot have what we cannot afford. Cuts and reductions will have a significant impact on the academic programming of our school district.”

Please join district leaders to learn details about the November 5th operational levy election. We will share detailed information about the proposal and answer questions about the request. QUESTIONS? Please contact the Superintendent’s Office at (513) 864-1005. www.princetonschools.net

Sunday, October 13, 2024  - 6 PM - 7 PM, St. Monica’s Center, 10022 Chester Road, (Park on Douglas Street), Lincoln Heights

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 - 6-7 PM, Sharonville Recreation Center, 10990 Thornview Drive, Sharonville

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - 6-7 PM, Harry Whiting Brown Community Center, 205 East Sharon Road, Glendale

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 - 6-7 PM, Evendale Cultural Arts Center, 10500 Reading Road, Evendale

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - 6-7 PM, Woodlawn Recreation Center, 10050 Woodlawn Blvd., Woodlawn

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - 6-7 PM, Springdale Parks & Recreation Center, 11999 Lawnview Avenue, Springdale

FAILED NOVEMBER 2024 - TAX LEVY INFORMATION

Seven southwest Ohio school districts ask taxpayers for more money to offset inflation, construct new buildings and dig out of dire financial holes.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2024/10/09/2024-election-southwest-ohio-school-levies/75560004007/