Questions & Answers

What is on the ballot for Hilliard City Schools in November?

On November 4th, a 6.9 mill operating levy will appear on the ballot.   Issue 78 is critical for maintaining our “Excellent with Distinction” rating from the State of Ohio and protects our community investment in our homes and our schools.

What does an operating levy fund?  Why is it needed now?

An operating levy funds the day to day expenses of a school district. It is used for educational programming, textbook purchases and staff. Our district has experienced extensive growth over the past few years, but funding has not grown with the number of students. This levy is needed to maintain the quality of education provided by the district.  Since 2005, the district has cut $5.6 million from the budget and eliminated 100 positions.  Further reductions will affect our educational quality and that in turn affects our desirability as a community.

What will happen if Issue 78 is not approved by the voters in November?

Issue 78 will provide the District with the necessary funds to improve the strength of the schools. Should the issue fail, the District will be forced to make $11 million more in cuts that will threaten the quality of education provided by the Hilliard City Schools.  Simply stated, after making $5.6 million in cuts since 2005, quality education is at stake.

How much will Issue 78 cost? How do I calculate that cost for my own home?

Remember, that the auditor assesses taxes based on 35% of your home’s value and not the full value.  For a quick calculation use $17.61 per $100,000 of home value.
Note:  If the homeowner is over age 65, additional state reimbursement would reduce the cost to the homeowner.

It seems like the Hilliard School District was just on the ballot. Why are you coming back to the voters so frequently?

Our district had a measure on the March ballot that was unsuccessful. Our leadership has listened to the feedback provided by the community, and has lowered the levy request in response to citizens’ concerns. In addition to lowering the request, from 9.5 mills to 6.9 mills, the district has cut $4.5 million since March to make the levy more affordable.  The last increase was a bond issue to ease overcrowding throughout the district and by law, can be used only for building and permanent improvements to existing structures.  Those funds cannot be used to pay for day-to-day operations.
     

What does “Accountable Education” mean?

Accountable Education continues to be the #1 goal for the Hilliard City School District.  We maintain student and administrative costs that are among the lowest in Franklin County.
An Audit and Accountability Committee made up of citizens, staff, and leaders with financial expertise will monitor how funds are spent and will report back to the community.  Accountable education is a compact with our communities to keep improving educational results and operational facilities, while remaining responsible and aware of taxpayer’s concerns

How does our school district compare to other districts in Franklin County?

Our schools received the highest rating from the Ohio Department of Education - Excellent with Distinction. This rating puts our District as one of the top school systems in the County and the State. We accomplish this, while having the lowest administrative cost per pupil in Franklin County and, remaining among the lowest in per pupil expenditures.

Do Columbus residents pay less in school taxes than Hilliard residents?

Columbus residents and residents of the entire district pay the same school tax rate. Residency in a different city does not have an effect on school taxes.

Will Bradley High School still open in the fall of 2009 if the levy doesn’t pass?

Bradley High School is set to open in fall of 2009. The growth of the District required us to construct an additional high school, and that remains a concern separate of Issue 78. Should the levy fail, we will have to create avenues to properly fund operational costs for the three high schools, while making difficult budgetary decisions about cuts.

Why doesn’t the district put an income tax levy on the ballot, rather than a property tax levy? 

Various taxes can be used for the operations of a school district; however, the board and administration sought to pursue a property tax due to the fact that the local business community will pay approximately 24% of the total property tax collected.  Businesses do not pay income tax levies, so the burden is solely on residents of the district.  Property taxes affect businesses, landlords and homeowners alike.

These are tough economic times. How can I afford to pay more taxes?

Like residents, we too are dealing with tough economic times. We’ve listened carefully to district citizens, who understandably prefer a smaller levy this time. With the passage of this levy, we will still cut $3 million more from our budget. This levy is necessary for the future of our children and our community.
Our community simply can’t afford not to adequately fund education.  The Hilliard City School District is committed to accountable education, and an Audit and Accountability Committee will monitor every dollar spent and report back to you.