Chillicothe voters reject school district earned income tax levy
Unofficial election results show 56.3% of voters opposing the proposed five-year tax.
Voters in the Chillicothe City School District rejected a proposed earned income tax levy, according to unofficial results from the Nov. 3 election.
According to county election reporting, 4,178 votes were cast against the measure and 3,244 in favor, defeating the tax 56.3% to 43.7% with all 24 district precincts reporting.
The proposed measure would have established a 0.75% earned income tax for a five-year term, applying to wages, salaries, tips and self-employment income while exempting social security, pensions, interest earnings and capital gains.
District voters previously rejected the same tax proposal on May 5, when the Ross County Board of Elections reported 1,858 votes against and 1,797 in favor, a margin of 61 votes.
According to district levy publications, federal pandemic relief funds previously allowed the school system to continue operating without returning to voters after an initial 2018 levy attempt, but the elimination of relief aid alongside inflation and state revenue reductions led the district to seek new local funding.
To address budget pressures, the district implemented $2.5 million in permanent reductions for fiscal year 2026 by cutting administrative personnel, classroom supplies, materials and vendor contracts, as well as reducing certified and classified staff through attrition. District forecasts approved in February 2026 indicated the school system must make an additional $3.9 million in reductions for fiscal year 2027, including higher athletic and marching band transportation fees, the elimination of high school bus routes, and staff reductions across teaching, administrative and support positions.
If the levy fails, the district will make further cuts to be implemented for the fiscal year 2028. Those projected reductions include cuts to district-wide art, music, and theater classes, administrative reductions, and cuts to preschool classrooms, elementary literacy support teachers and STEM facilitators.
Voters also rejected the city's street maintenance income tax by a vote of 4,258 to 3,191.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
https://woub.org/2026/11/03/unofficial-2026-november-general-election-results-ross-county/
Supporting evidence (2)
Voters in the Chillicothe City School District rejected a proposed earned income tax levy, according to unofficial results from the Nov. 3 election.
Read supporting passage
Posted on: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 < < Back to ROSS COUNTY, Ohio (WOUB) – According to unofficial results, 55% of registered voters in Ross County cast ballots in the 2026 November general election. To see how voters cast ballots in the races for Ohio’s statewide offices, congress and Issue 3, click here for the unofficial results. Voters rejected the Chillicothe City School District earned income tax by a vote of 4,178 to 3,244.
Voters also rejected the city's street maintenance income tax by a vote of 4,258 to 3,191.
Read supporting passage
Voters rejected the Chillicothe City School District earned income tax by a vote of 4,178 to 3,244. Voters rejected the City of Chillicothe street maintenance income tax by a vote of 4,258 to 3,191.
Supporting evidence (1)
According to county election reporting, 4,178 votes were cast against the measure and 3,244 in favor, defeating the tax 56.3% to 43.7% with all 24 district precincts reporting.
Read supporting passage
A proposed income tax for the Chillicothe City School District was failing Tuesday night, 56.3% against to 43.7% in favor, according to unofficial results from the Ross County Board of Elections. All 24 precincts in the district reported, with 4,178 votes against and 3,244 for.
Supporting evidence (2)
The proposed measure would have established a 0.75% earned income tax for a five-year term, applying to wages, salaries, tips and self-employment income while exempting social security, pensions, interest earnings and capital gains.
Read supporting passage
Chillicothe City School District will have a proposed 0.75% earned income tax levy on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The proposed levy is for a five-year term. It would apply to earned income such as salaries, wages, tips, and self-employment income. It would not apply to social security, pensions, interest earnings, or capital gains.
District voters previously rejected the same tax proposal on May 5, when the Ross County Board of Elections reported 1,858 votes against and 1,797 in favor, a margin of 61 votes.
Read supporting passage
The school district’s attempt at the same levy failed in the May 5th, 2026 election. The Ross County Board of Elections reported 1,797 votes for the tax and 1,858 against – a margin only 61 votes, less than 1%.
Supporting evidence (3)
According to district levy publications, federal pandemic relief funds previously allowed the school system to continue operating without returning to voters after an initial 2018 levy attempt, but the elimination of relief aid alongside inflation and state revenue reductions led the district to seek new local funding.
Read supporting passage
In 2018, the Board of Education decided not to return to voters with another levy request after the initial attempt, recognizing that it wasn’t the right time for the community. Fortunately, the influx of pandemic relief funds allowed the district to continue operations without further burdening taxpayers. The elimination of pandemic relief funds, inflation, and reductions in state public education revenue have made it necessary for the district to return to the community to support its city public school district, so that we can provide an education to the students in our community.
If the levy fails, the district will make further cuts to be implemented for the fiscal year 2028.
Those projected reductions include cuts to district-wide art, music, and theater classes, administrative reductions, and cuts to preschool classrooms, elementary literacy support teachers and STEM facilitators.
Read supporting passage
Reductions for the fiscal year 2028 if the levy fails and state funding decreases ● Administrative reductions ● District-wide art, music, and theater classes and extra-curricular opportunities ● Elementary literacy support teachers ● District-wide classroom supplies and materials ● Further increase transportation fees for athletic and marching band ● Reductions in preschool classrooms ● Reduction of STEM education facilitators and STEM classroom opportunities ● Reducing personnel in these areas will result in larger classroom sizes and fewer course offerings ● Evaluation and prioritization of athletic opportunities
Supporting evidence (2)
To address budget pressures, the district implemented $2.5 million in permanent reductions for fiscal year 2026 by cutting administrative personnel, classroom supplies, materials and vendor contracts, as well as reducing certified and classified staff through attrition.
Read supporting passage
For fiscal year 2026, the district achieved $2.5 million in permanent reductions through the attrition of both certified and classified personnel, as well as cuts in administrative personnel, contract services, classroom supplies, materials, alternative virtual learning, and vendor contracts. Those reductions were realized during the current school year.
District forecasts approved in February 2026 indicated the school system must make an additional $3.9 million in reductions for fiscal year 2027, including higher athletic and marching band transportation fees, the elimination of high school bus routes, and staff reductions across teaching, administrative and support positions.
Read supporting passage
the district's five-year forecast, board-approved on February 23, 2026, indicates that the district must now make an additional $3.9 million in reductions for fiscal year 2027. The new round of reductions includes increases to athletic/marching band transportation fees, a reduction in 2 teaching positions through attrition, a reduction in force for physical education and 4 high school teachers, one guidance counselor, one social worker, ten paraprofessionals, two administrators, the elimination of high school bus routes, reduction in 3 bus aides, one resource officer, business manager, one communication coordinator, and contract services for student mental health supports.