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East Clinton Local Schools Levy Facts

 

East Clinton Local School District is committed to providing students with a safe, supportive, and high-quality educational experience while maintaining responsible financial stewardship on behalf of the community we serve. We are grateful for the continued partnership and trust shown by East Clinton residents, which has allowed the district to make meaningful progress in recent years.
We understand the strong bond between a community and its school.  Our mission is to “Elevate the Community; One Student at a Time.” Improving opportunities for our students directly correlates to strengthening the community. We strive to teach every student to “Listen, Learn, and Lead.”
In May, East Clinton will be seeking approval from the residents for a 1.25% earned income tax to support day-to-day operations. This levy is intended to provide ongoing operational funding that supports the district’s ability to maintain current programs, staffing levels, and services while continuing to prioritize student safety, security, and opportunity.
Ohio’s funding for schools operates on a two-year budget cycle. Funding levels from the state can fluctuate based upon many factors within Ohio’s funding formula. Funding provided to East Clinton from the State of Ohio continues to decrease. This year’s funding from the State of Ohio has decreased by approximately $829,000.

 

Levy Facts

  • East Clinton is seeking a 1.25% Earned Income Tax for daily operations.
    • This is not a property tax.
    • It applies only to residents with earned income.
    • Income not subject to this tax includes:
      • Retirement income and pensions
      • Social Security benefits
      • Interest, dividends, and capital gains
      • Disability benefits
    • The 1.25% tax would be calculated based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).
      • MAGI is your Ohio adjusted gross income (Ohio IT 1040, line 3) plus your business income deduction (Ohio Schedule of Adjustments line 13).
      • For every $10,000 of MAGI, you'd pay $125
    • Additional Details
      • This would be a continuing levy.
      • This levy would generate approximately two million dollars annually.
  • ​​​​​The last time East Clinton passed an operating levy was in 1988.
    • Conservative fiscal stewardship has allowed the district to delay the need for additional levies longer than many surrounding districts.
    • However, operating costs have increased significantly since 1988, particularly following the 2020 pandemic.
  • Changes in Ohio's school funding system have shifted more responsibility to local taxpayers.
    • Ohio's funding has been reduced by approximately $829,000. State Funding FY24-26
    • Even with previous budget cuts, the district is projected to face a revenue shortfall of more than $1 million this year due to reductions in state funding.
    • Next year, the projected expendatures will exceed district revenues.
  • Even with previous cost reductions, the district is projected to face a revenue shortfall of more than $1 million this year due to reductions in state funding.
  • This levy is not intended for expansion or construction.
    • It is intended to provide sustainability, allowing East Clinton to maintain current programs, staffing levels, and opportunities for students.

Join us for Levy Informational Sessions

March 24th - 6PM Sabina Elementary Cafeteria

March 25th - 5PM East Clinton HS/MS Cafeteria

March 26th - 5PM New Vienna Elementary Cafeteria

 

Levy History

In 2018, the residents passed a bond levy for the construction of a new middle school and renovations to the high school and both elementary buildings. Although the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic created many disruptions in timelines and costs, the District worked through those challenges to complete the projects. All buildings are fully functional and serve our students and community.
In 2014, residents passed a Permanent Improvement (PI) Levy. This levy generates approximately $300,000 annually. By law, these funds can only be used to purchase property, assets, or improvements with an estimated life span of five years or more. These funds are typically used for items such as school buses, computers, and equipment. With the donation of the Lees Creek United Church of Christ, PI funds will be used for renovations to make that space a usable asset for the district. No general fund dollars will be used for the renovation of the church. PI funds cannot legally be used in the paying for day-to-day operating expenses such as salaries.
In 2012, the residents were asked to pass an operating levy in the form of an income tax. That levy did not pass. The last operating levy that the district is currently collecting from residents was passed in 1988. The cost of operating a school has increased significantly in the nearly 40 years since that time.

 

Financial Stewardship

As a district, we believe in conservative and responsible financial stewardship. The positions we employ are necessary to operate our schools and support students. Approximately 80% of the district's General Fund is used to pay salaries and benefits for the nearly 200 employees who serve our students each day. 
District spending is carefully reviewed to ensure purchases are practical and necessary. Over the past several years, as revenue from the State of Ohio has remained flat or decreased, the district has made reductions trying to maintain a balanced budget, including the elimination of an assistant principal position and several teaching positions.
The district has reached a point where we must either make deeper cuts that will directly impact programs and services provided to students or ask residents to approve an operating levy.
This levy would allow East Clinton to fund essential recurring expenses such as:
  • Teacher and staff salaries
  • Classroom supplies and materials
  • Fuel and utilities
  • Building maintenance and operations
  • Maintain manageable class sizes, which support individualized attention, improved academic outcomes, and better classroom environments.
  • Retain and attract quality staff. Remaining competitive with neighboring districts’ salaries and benefits helps maintain stability and continuity for students.
  • Preserve current academic and extracurricular opportunities, including Art, Music, Physical Education, Career-Technical education, advanced coursework and electives, intervention services, and high school transportation.
  • Maintain safe learning environments, including school safety measures and School Security Officers on district campuses.
  • Maintain student support services, including social workers, counselors, and mental health resources.
This operating levy is not about adding extras. It is about maintaining the core services and educational opportunities that students rely on every day. Passing an operating levy in 2026 will help ensure financial stability, protect programs and staff, and support a high-quality education for all students in the district.
School levies are never an easy decision. However, they remain a necessary and locally controlled mechanism that allows school districts to maintain operations and reduce the risk of future programs or class reductions due to financial limitations.

 

Who's Impacted?

In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code, a school district income tax levy applies as follows:
  • The tax applies to earned income of residents of the school district, regardless of where they work.
  • Earned income generally includes wages, salaries, commissions, and self-employment income.
This structure ensures that the levy is based on earned income only. Individuals on fixed incomes who do not earn wages, such as many retirees, are not subject to the tax.
The following sources of income are not taxed under this levy:
  • Pensions and retirement income
  • Social Security benefits
  • Rental income
  • Interest, dividends, and capital gains
  • Disability benefits

Our Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility

East Clinton Local School District remains committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible use of community resources. The district values the continued involvement and support of its residents and remains focused on providing students with the strongest possible foundation for future success.

East Clinton Levy Frequently Asked Questions