Press release regarding the May 2026 Levy
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2026
The Franklin City Schools Board of Education has taken steps to place a 1% traditional income tax on the May 2026 ballot.
• This issue is for new operating money and is for a 10-year term.
• It is an income tax rather than property tax and primarily will be collected by employers from people who live in the Franklin City Schools’ district.
• Income that is taxed uses the same income base that the State of Ohio uses for their income tax (line 5 of the state return).
• Income that is NOT taxed includes social security benefits; disability and survivor benefits; railroad retirement benefits; welfare benefits; child support; property received as a gift, bequest, or inheritance; and workers’ compensation benefits.
• Taxes would first be collected in 2027.
• The issue is estimated to raise $6,680,588 annually.
Dr. Michael Sander, superintendent of schools, said the district promised that the 2014 levy would last 8 to 10 years; it has: the district hasn’t had new operating money since 2014. “The district has been excellent stewards of residents’ tax dollars, and we’ve managed our finances to make the levy last 12 years, but we’re looking at a negative cash balance for fiscal year 2029, and need additional revenue to close that gap. Since the ’22-’23 school year, FCS has cut a cumulative $11,726,500. With the May 2025 and November 2025 levy failures, the district needs to reduce expenses by an additional $3.15 million for 2026-2027.” Cuts have included reducing busing to state minimums, increasing classroom and extracurricular participation fees, and eliminating all-day kindergarten. 2026-2027 cuts will include a reduction in employees and contracted personnel, delaying curriculum updates, and increasing pay-to-participate fees again.
Sander noted, “It is never easy to ask our residents for additional monies, but unfortunately, Ohio’s school funding system relies heavily on local taxpayers. An added blow is that the amount of money the district will be receiving over the next two years from the State of Ohio this year is $1 million less than last year.”
Sander added, “We know how strongly our community supports our school district. Instead of proposing a property tax, we have decided to put an income tax on the ballot because options for property tax levies have been constrained by the Ohio legislature. Franklin City Schools is one of a growing number of districts across Ohio taking this approach. As of January, 210 districts—just over a third of all districts in the state—have implemented an income tax.”
If you have questions, feel free to contact the superintendent’s office at (937) 746-1699 or attend a Franklin Board of Education meeting. Public comments are welcome; guests are asked to state their name and address for the record. Board of Education meeting dates are posted on the district website (www.franklincityschools.com) and social media.
