Cincinnati Public Schools pushes $66 million levy ahead of Nov. 3 vote

Cincinnati Public Schools advanced its case for a new property tax on Tuesday evening. The district held its State of the Schools event at the School for Creative and Performing Arts to showcase student progress. The presentation served as a backdrop for a critical funding decision facing local voters next week.

Voters will decide on Issue 4 on Nov. 3. The measure proposes a five-year, 7-mill property tax levy. District officials estimate the levy will generate more than $66 million annually. The revenue is intended to prevent further cuts to staff and student services. It would also establish a new operating fund for the district.

Superintendent Shauna Murphy addressed the audience during the event. She emphasized the district's current trajectory. "We have progress to build on, we have momentum to keep moving on, and we also have a plan that will guide us in getting there," Murphy said. She added that the district had spent considerable time requesting public support. "Tonight we really wanted to showcase our children," she stated.

Board of Education President Brandon Craig also spoke to the crowd. He outlined the potential risks if the levy fails to pass. Craig noted that the district faces immediate challenges due to funding vulnerabilities. "We are facing a lot of challenges right now because we know funding for public school districts is at risk," Craig said. He argued that investing in students is the primary solution to these issues.

Opposition to the levy has organized in recent weeks. A political action committee named The Coalition for An Affordable Cincinnati is running advertisements against Issue 4. The group is led by former school board member Ozie Davis and political strategist Jay Kincaid. Their ads contend that many families cannot afford the additional tax. They further argue that passing the levy could negatively impact the students it intends to serve.

District leaders did not explicitly mention the tax levy during the main presentation. The event focused on displaying student success stories. However, the timing of the address, one week before Election Day, placed the financial decision at the center of the district's public communication. FOX19 NOW contacted the opposing PAC for comment but had not received a response as of Tuesday night.

The levy decision will determine the financial stability of Cincinnati Public Schools for the next five years. The $66 million annual estimate provides the specific monetary scale of the proposal. Voters in Cincinnati will cast their ballots on the measure on Nov. 3.