Cincinnati school board rescinds income tax levy vote, seeks property tax hike instead

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CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The Cincinnati Public Schools board voted 6-to-1 Monday night to rescind a 0.75% earned income tax levy it had approved just seven days earlier.

It marks the first time in decades the board has rescinded a ballot issue.

After more than three hours of debate, the board shifted its focus to a more traditional property tax levy, approving it in a 5-to-1 vote.

The measure now heads to voters in November. The filing deadline is Wednesday.

Contentious meeting was packed

Community members packed the meeting room, some carrying posters criticizing the board. Board President Brandon Craig warned the audience at one point that those who could not maintain order would be removed.

“I’m going to do a reminder one more time, and if I hear another person who can’t seem to control themself, I will have security come and escort you out,” Craig said. “This is a place we’re going to hold decorum and respect, and if folks want to chit chat and yell and scream, take yourself outside and do so.”

Members of the public also addressed the board directly during the meeting.

“This is your job, if you don’t want to do your job then resign,” one community member said.

“The wage takes the hit, the wealth walks free. That is not equity, that is not justice,” another said.

“Our students, their families, and staff deserve a levy that has a chance of passing,” a third said.

District faces $58.6 million deficit

The district is facing a $58.6 million budget deficit, driven by rising operational costs and reduced state funding.

Earlier this summer, the board cut more than 100 positions to address immediate shortfalls.

District leaders had warned a failed levy would mean deeper cuts for the third straight year.

Board member objects

Board member Mapp was the sole no vote on the property tax levy.

“What I will not stand for, what I will not tolerate is being in a position where board members are being bullied, board members are being coerced, individuals are manipulating the vote,” Mapp said.

Teachers union backs one of the levies

The Cincinnati Federation of Teachers president called a property tax levy a fairer approach.

That way, the “tax” burden is shared across the community rather than falling directly on workers’ paychecks.

Monday’s vote is also the first time in the district’s history that CPS pursued an earned income tax instead of a traditional property tax levy.

The income tax approach lasted exactly one week.

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