Jonathan Alder Local Schools

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What Parents and Community Members Need to Know About HB 335

The Bottom Line: Education is a human-centered business. Teachers and support staff serve as the foundation of the educational process, directly interacting with students to support their learning and development. HB 335 would eliminate $1.5+ billion in school funding which represents 20,000 teachers—that’s 1 in 5 teachers statewide.

What This Means for Your Child’s Classroom:

• Larger class sizes as districts eliminate teaching positions

• Cut programs like art, music, sports, and Advanced Placement courses

• Reduced support services including counselors, librarians, and specialists

• Deferred maintenance on school buildings and facilities

• Outdated textbooks and technology as districts delay purchases

What This Means for Your Community:

• Lower property values as school quality declines

• Difficulty attracting new families and businesses to the area

• More frequent levy elections as districts scramble to replace lost funding

• Economic decline as educated workers and employers leave

The Numbers for Jonathan Alder Local Schools:

• Inside millage lost: $3.5 million annually

• Teaching positions at risk: Approximately 30 teachers, or 17% of our staff

• Students affected: 2300 students in our district

There’s a Better Way: Senate Bill (SB) 22 provides targeted property tax relief to families who need it most while protecting school funding and community economic development.

Take Action: Contact Reps. Brain Stewart and Tracy Richardson and ask them to oppose HB 335 and support targeted relief, such as the circuit breaker approach included in SB 22.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR FAMILIES

Q: Will HB 335 really lower my property taxes?

A: Maybe temporarily, but at a devastating cost. Your property taxes might go down initially, but:

• Your property value will likely decrease as school quality declines

• You’ll face more frequent levy elections as districts try to replace lost funding

• The services that make your community attractive will be cut

• You’ll pay more in other ways (private tutoring, fees for extracurriculars, etc.)

Q: My property taxes are really high. Isn’t some relief needed?

A: Yes. But there’s a smarter way to deliver that relief. Senate Bill 22 is a property tax circuit breaker that would provide targeted help to families who are struggling now, while protecting the schools that sustain our property values and community strength.

We’re emerging from an unusual period of rapid property value increases, driven by supply and demand imbalances and financialization in the housing market. But data shows that values are beginning to normalize. That’s why a targeted solution to a short-term issue, rather than permanent changes that undermine schools, is the most responsible path forward.

Q: Can’t schools just “tighten their belts” and become more efficient?

A: Ohio schools are already operating efficiently. When you eliminate $1.5 billion and 20,000 teachers, you’re not improving efficiency, you are:

• Forcing larger class sizes (less individual attention for your child)

• Cutting programs that make education well-rounded

• Eliminating support staff who help struggling students

• Deferring maintenance that keeps schools safe and functional

Q: What about districts with large cash balances? Don’t they have too much money?

A: Districts maintain cash reserves for the same reasons families do:

• Emergency repairs (roof leaks, heating system failures)

• Voter-approved projects already in planning

• Enrollment fluctuations that require staffing adjustments

• Economic uncertainty and responsible budgeting

HB 335 ignores these legitimate needs and forces cuts regardless of local circumstances.

Q: Won’t this help seniors and families on fixed incomes?

A: HB 335 does not target assistance to those who need it. Wealthy Ohioans would get the same tax break as a struggling senior. Meanwhile, seniors care about:

• Property values supported by good schools

• Community services that help them age in place

• Public safety funded by local taxes

• Economic vitality that supports local businesses

Q: How is this different from other property tax relief?

A: Previous relief efforts either:

• Came with state funding to replace local revenue, or

• Targeted help to specific groups who needed it most

HB 335 eliminates local revenue with no replacement and helps everyone equally regardless of need. It’s the worst of both worlds.

Q: What can I do to help?

A:

1. Contact your legislators (names and numbers below)

2. Talk to neighbors about the real impact

3. Attend school board meetings to show support

4. Share information on social media

5. Vote and encourage others to vote for school-friendly candidates

Madison County

Union County