Cincinnati Public Schools Urges Hamilton County Commissioners to Protect School Funding Amid Proposed Property-Tax Changes

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) is urging the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners to oppose a proposed property-tax exemption under House Bill 96, which could cost local public schools more than $7.5 million in lost revenue next year.

The proposed change would alter how developers qualify for property-tax abatements, allowing certain projects to bypass school tax obligations. According to County estimates, CPS would lose more funding than any other local taxing entity if the exemption moves forward.

Protecting Local School Funding

Superintendent Shauna Murphy and Treasurer Michael Gustin sent a joint letter to the Hamilton County Commissioners on behalf of the district, outlining how the proposal would have “devastating financial consequences” for Cincinnati Public Schools and the 22 other school districts across Hamilton County.

“Every dollar lost limits our ability to provide safe schools, strong academics, and life-changing opportunities for our students,” said Superintendent Murphy. “We share concerns about affordability, but the solution cannot come at the expense of our children’s education.”

The district emphasized that local property-tax revenues fund essential classroom programs, teacher supports, and operational services that help more than 35,000 students across Cincinnati thrive.

Additional Funding Challenges

The potential revenue loss comes at a time when CPS is already facing financial pressure from multiple levels of government:

• Federal cuts to Title II, III and IV funding have disrupted Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and multilingual learning programs.
• State-level changes to the 20-mill floor and inside-millage calculations threaten to further reduce district funding for core academic and safety initiatives.

“No other entity stands to lose as much as CPS,” said Treasurer Gustin. “We urge the Commissioners to reject this proposal and to work with school districts on balanced, sustainable solutions that protect both taxpayers and students.”

Community Partnership and Shared Responsibility

Cincinnati Public Schools has long collaborated with Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, Job and Family Services, and the Juvenile Courts to provide comprehensive support for students and families. District leaders warn that continued revenue reductions would jeopardize these critical partnerships and the progress CPS has made to improve student outcomes.

“Public education is the foundation of Hamilton County’s success,” said Murphy. “We ask our community to stand with CPS to protect the future of our schools and students.”

How You Can Help

CPS invites parents, alumni, business owners, and residents to make their voices heard by contacting the Hamilton County Commissioners before a final decision is made.

Supporters can download and personalize a community letter template to share their concerns directly with the Commissioners.

Download the Template Letter to Send to the Commissioners