Hilliard schools predict drastic budget cuts if levy fails, but not all taxpayers are convinced

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) – Hilliard City Schools announced its contingency plan if its November levy fails, and it includes eliminating nearly 100 jobs and more than tripling pay-to-participate fees. Some community members still argue it's not necessary.

“If Issue 39 is not successful, it will mean that difficult decisions will need to be made by the Board of Education,” Superintendent David Stewart said. “We believe that voters deserve to know what those realities likely will be.”

Issue 39 is Hilliard City Schools’ combined 1.84-mills bond issue and 6.9-mills operating levy, which would cost property owners $242 per $100,000 of their annual home evaluation. 

According to Hilliard schools, the bond money would replace and build three elementary schools, fund renovations and reorganize sixth grade classrooms, while levy money would go to operational costs. This is the first levy the district has requested in eight years, and this week the district announced not passing the levy would have severe consequences. 

Hilliard’s Board of Education released a contingency plan in case the levy fails. This plan suggests $10,096,000 of savings from staff reductions, fee increases and larger class sizes. The district said it would cut dozens of staff positions across grade levels and schools, and would also drastically increase pay-to-play fees. Middle school fees would increase from $80 to $300, and high school fees would change from $100 to $600.

But some still feel the levy is unnecessary. Hilliard Tax Payers Need To Know is a community group that says taxes are already too high for citizens. According to Hilliard Tax Payers, the issue for school funding is what the district is spending, not a lack of revenue. The group said most funding would go toward personnel costs, which they argue is unnecessary.

Hilliard City Councilmember Les Carrier agrees with the organization and said the operating levy request is “premature” and more than necessary to operate the schools. He pointed to the district’s financial forecast’s projected expense increases, and said most are personnel related.

Meanwhile, Hilliard schools said it has the lowest administrative cost per student in Franklin County. It also says it has been fiscally responsible, saving $7.5 million in the General Fund through changes already. According to a recent community forum report, 85% of general operating expenses go toward salary and benefits for teachers.

According to Hilliard Director of Communication Stacie Raterman, a failed levy would require the district to cut 5% of its current full time positions. Raterman said under the proposed contingency plan, 97 full time staff positions would be cut. Currently, the district has just over 1,950 employees.

“Any cuts they are proposing would be elimination of jobs hired with one-time Covid funding and one could reasonably argue not needed based on their own future cash balance projections and flat to declining enrollment,” Carrier said.

“Nothing on the list of reductions is something that I believe is best for our students and their families,” Stewart said. “Our goal remains to provide a safe, enriching learning environment for all students.”

Hilliard is the 10th largest school district in the state, serving more than 16,000 students this year. Both Hilliard Tax Payers and the Hilliard school district held community information sessions Tuesday of this week, both advertised as informational meetings to help the public learn the facts of the levy.

Read the entire contingency plan passed by Hilliard City Schools below.