Sycamore Community Schools will hold three public sessions starting Monday, Sept. 21, to field questions about a 6.95-mill property tax levy headed to the Nov. 3 ballot.
The district announced the series, called "Community Conversations: Just the Facts," on its website Sept. 16. The sessions will cover academics, programs, athletics, extracurriculars and finances. A frequently asked questions page published Sept. 14 lays out the levy's details.
The Sycamore Board of Education approved a resolution at its June 10 work session to place the combined levy on the ballot, according to board records. The measure includes 5.00 mills for operating expenses and 1.95 mills for permanent improvements such as roof replacements, buses, technology infrastructure and facility upgrades.
It is the district's first request for new operating money since voters approved a levy in November 2016. According to the district's FAQ page, Sycamore stretched those funds across a full decade, doubling the original five-year promise, through measures including capping annual expenditure growth under 2.5% to 3.5%, joint healthcare purchasing and aligning staffing with enrollment trends.
Under Ohio law (House Bill 920), levy revenue stays flat even as home values rise, eventually requiring districts to seek new voter support, the district's FAQ page explains.
What it would cost
The Yes for Sycamore campaign, an independent volunteer group led by treasurer Susan Crabill, estimates the levy would cost $243 per year for a home valued at $100,000. The district's FAQ page notes Sycamore carries the fifth-lowest school tax rate among 25 Hamilton County and adjacent peer districts.
About 85% of district funding comes from local property taxes, with 15% from the state, according to the FAQ page. The district serves 6,051 students across seven schools.
Session schedule
According to the Yes for Sycamore campaign site, the sessions are:
- Monday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m. — Kenwood Learning Commons
- Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m. — Blue Ash Elementary cafeteria
- Monday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m. — Virtual
The district's own announcement did not list specific dates or locations.
How to participate
The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 election is Monday, Oct. 5. Early in-person voting and vote-by-mail begin Tuesday, Oct. 6, according to the campaign site.
