School superintendents and treasurers across Logan County, Ohio, have issued a joint letter to residents addressing the growing burden of local property taxes. They argue that a two-decade shift in state policy is directly responsible for higher tax bills, forcing local communities to cover a funding gap left by the state for public education.
Key Takeaways
- Logan County school officials say state funding for K-12 education has dramatically decreased over 20 years.
- Ohio's national ranking for state education funding has fallen from 35th in 2002 to 45th in 2023.
- The share of education costs covered by local property taxes in Ohio has risen to 53.1%, while the state's share dropped to 33.5%.
- Officials are calling for state-level reform and proposing targeted local property tax relief measures.
A Decades-Long Funding Shift
In an open letter, leaders from Benjamin Logan, Bellefontaine City, Indian Lake, Riverside Local Schools, and the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center detailed what they describe as a fundamental change in how Ohio funds its schools. They assert that decisions made by state lawmakers have systematically shifted the financial responsibility from the state to local homeowners.
The data presented by the officials paints a stark picture of this transition. Over the past two decades, Ohio's commitment to funding K-12 education has significantly weakened relative to other states. In 2002, the state ranked 35th nationally in its share of education funding. By 2023, it had dropped to 45th, placing it near the bottom.
Ohio vs. National Average
While the national average for state funding of education is approximately 45%, Ohio's contribution has fallen to just 33.5%. This leaves a substantial gap that local communities must fill, primarily through property taxes.
This decline is not just a matter of ranking. The actual percentage of state funding has decreased from 44.8% to the current 33.5%. Consequently, the portion funded by local property taxes has increased from 49.5% to 53.1%. The officials stress that this is not an issue of increased school spending. Ohio ranks a moderate 20th in the nation for per-pupil spending, suggesting the problem lies in the funding source, not the total cost.
The Local Impact on Homeowners
The superintendents and treasurers acknowledged the frustration residents feel when they receive their property tax bills. "We, too, open those tax bills with concern," the letter states, aiming to build common ground with the community they serve.
They explained that the burden on homeowners has become disproportionately heavy. In 1991, homeowners paid 46% of school property taxes. Today, that figure has climbed to 67.5%. This increase is a direct result of the state's reduced financial role.
"The burden of educating Ohio’s children shouldn’t fall so heavily on local homeowners," the school leaders wrote. "We’re simply being forced to fund it differently than other states, through your property taxes instead of through other state resources."
The financial pressure is significant. According to their data, state funding per student in Ohio is now $2,672 below the national average. This deficit is what local tax levies are increasingly required to cover, ensuring that schools can continue to provide essential services, from hiring qualified teachers to maintaining safe facilities.
More Than Just Schools
The letter also reminds residents that property taxes are the financial backbone for many essential public services beyond education. These funds support local fire and emergency medical services, as well as the maintenance of local roads and other critical infrastructure that defines daily life in Logan County.
A Call for Systemic Reform
While explaining the problem, the school officials dedicated a significant portion of their letter to proposing solutions. They cautioned against what they called "quick fixes," such as proposals to drastically reduce or eliminate property taxes without a viable replacement. Such measures, they warn, could "devastate the services that make Logan County strong."
Instead, they advocate for a two-pronged approach that involves action at both the state and local levels. The primary demand is for state legislators to restore Ohio's commitment to funding public education.
Proposed Tax Relief Measures
The officials outlined a framework for what they consider "real property tax relief," focusing on targeted, sustainable, and transparent methods. Their suggestions include:
- Targeted Relief: Enhancing property tax relief for seniors on fixed incomes, expanding exemptions for citizens with disabilities, and strengthening homestead exemptions for low-income families.
- Sustainable Growth Protections: Implementing revenue growth limits to prevent sharp year-over-year increases and tying tax caps to inflation and income growth to maintain affordability.
- Local Control and Transparency: Granting communities more flexibility in managing tax abatements, increasing transparency in how tax incentives are awarded, and closing a loophole related to the sale of commercial and residential property by LLCs.
Uniting for a Solution
The letter concludes with a call for collaboration. The superintendents and treasurers position themselves not as political advocates but as community members invested in the future of Logan County. They argue that ensuring children have access to excellent teachers, safe schools, and quality educational programs is an investment in the community's long-term health.
"We need our state legislators to be partners in this solution, not bystanders watching local communities struggle with burdens they’ve shifted to us," the letter emphasizes. The path forward, they suggest, requires residents, educators, and elected officials to work together to demand adequate state funding.
By framing the issue as a shared challenge, the school leaders hope to mobilize the community to advocate for change at the statehouse. Their message is clear: solving the local property tax problem begins in Columbus.
