MOVING SPRINGFIELD FORWARD
Our Students. Our Schools. Our Community
Quality schools are critical to any community that wants to build a strong future for everyone. Here's where you can get the straight facts about our school issues and how your tax dollars are spent.
CONSIDER THE FACTS ABOUT SCHOOL FUNDING.
To make the right decision, our community must rely on facts - not rumor, guesswork or opinion. We know you have questions, and here are some answers:
What will investors in our children’s education receive for their support?
The new Springfield Schools Leadership (three new school board members and a new Superintendent) is eager to provide necessary programs to the students while continuing to be fiscally responsible. Your support would allow us to bring back full bus services, cut the cost of sports in half (from $300 to $150), add a $600 cap per family for sports, and we could hire an additional Student Resource Officer. We look forward to working with community stakeholders to develop a fiscally responsible plan that will meet the current needs of our students.
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Why do you need new operating funds?
Simply put…the district has not received new operating funds since 2000 and the cost to provide a quality education with elective programs and extracurricular activities to our students continues to rise.
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What will investors in our children’s education be asked to vote for on May 2, 2023?
A 3.77 mill property tax levy for Springfield Local Schools is on the May 2, 2023 election ballot.
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What is a school levy?
A Levy is a local property tax passed by the voters of a school district that generates revenue to fund programs and services that the state does not pay for as part of basic education.
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How much will investors in our children’s education have to pay?
Affordability was a crucial part of deciding on the amount for this levy. Below please find a breakdown of what it will cost investors in our children’s education and future:
Appraised Value Monthly Cost
$50,000 $5.69
$100,000 $11.38
$150,000 $17.06
$200,000 $22.75
$250,000 $28.44
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When the levy is approved will any part of it be used to build a sports complex?
No. A sports complex is no longer being looked into. This levy will NOT support any sort of sports complex.
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My property value keeps going up so why aren’t the schools receiving more tax money?
Ohio law only allows the original dollar amount voted by the community to be collected over time. This means that operating money being collected from the 2000 levy has not changed in 23 years. What was being collected in 2000 is the same amount that is being collected today.
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What has the District done over the years to cut costs?
To maintain fiscal responsibility, the district has made reductions in the number of school buildings to reflect the current and projected enrollment of students. Over the last several years dramatic cuts have been made to the educational opportunities available to students, including teachers. This has resulted in many educational programs and services (busing) being reduced to state minimum standards, as well as pay to participate fees being added to athletic programs.
How does the Springfield Schools tax rate compare to other districts?
Out of 17 school districts in Summit County, Springfield has the third lowest school tax rate.
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What percentage of the District’s budget goes to staffing?
Approximately 73% of the school district’s budget is dedicated to the professionals who are responsible for equipping our students with the knowledge, skills and ways of thinking needed for their future lives so our students can become leaders, run their own businesses, care for others, or make important discoveries. Our professional and highly qualified staff provides the power of educating today’s youth, thereby giving them the possibility for a better future.
​What happens with the Lottery Profits Education Fund for schools in Ohio?
In general, Lottery monies are used by the State of Ohio as an offset to dollars that they have already removed from school district's budgets.
Why does the School District need money when the Township and Village currently have construction going on within the community?
Road repairs and city work do not come from the same funding as schools. The Township or Village must use their funding for the funding it is reserved for.