Canal Winchester
Local Schools
CW Schools Joins City, Chamber for State of the Community
![The image shows three individuals standing in front of an American flag, with a woman in a red jacket in the center, flanked by a woman in a black jacket on the left and a man in a beige jacket on the right.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777663953/canalwinchesterschoolsorg/z9dpzvfvy4ht1bfbpumz/ChamberStateofCommunity.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777663953/canalwinchesterschoolsorg/z9dpzvfvy4ht1bfbpumz/ChamberStateofCommunity.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777663953/canalwinchesterschoolsorg/z9dpzvfvy4ht1bfbpumz/ChamberStateofCommunity.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777663953/canalwinchesterschoolsorg/z9dpzvfvy4ht1bfbpumz/ChamberStateofCommunity.jpg","width":861}])
Megan Anthony
Canal Winchester Schools joined the City of Canal Winchester and the Canal Winchester Chamber on April 22 for the first State of the Community event. During the event, leaders from each organization shared updates about the community’s schools, city, and chamber with businesses and community members.
Superintendent Kiya Hunt and Treasurer Nick Roberts, pictured with Board President Monika Talley, presented on behalf of the district. Mrs. Hunt opened by recognizing Canal Winchester High School and Middle School for earning the state’s Momentum Award, placing them among the top 8% of schools in Ohio for growth. She also shared a brief overview of the district’s report card results.
Mrs. Hunt also updated the audience on the Performing Arts Center and Athletic Facilities project, including the 700+ seat Performing Arts Center, the new field house at Mike Locke Stadium, and planned upgrades to the baseball and softball complex. Community members were invited to attend the groundbreaking at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at Canal Winchester High School.
Mrs. Hunt and Mr. Roberts closed with an update on the district’s finances. Mrs. Hunt detailed the district’s long-standing financial responsibility, noting that Canal Winchester Schools has balanced its operating budget for 16 years while spending less than it brings in and without requesting new local taxes.
Mr. Roberts explained that changes to state funding and property tax laws are expected to reduce revenue by about $10.7 million over four years, including $8.1 million in state funding and $2.5 million in property tax revenue. The district is projected to begin deficit spending in the 2026–2027 school year, with the carryover balance declining to about $15 million by the end of FY2029 and $4 million by FY2030.
To prepare, the district plans to reduce spending by $1 million next school year, with a focus on limiting the impact on students and making reductions through attrition where possible. If these revenue changes continue, additional reductions of up to $4 million annually may be needed in the future.
Mrs. Hunt also noted that the state’s next biennial budget process in 2027 will be important for the district moving forward, including potential updates to the Fair School Funding Plan.