FY26-27 State Budget

Protecting the Future of Canal Winchester Schools
Since 2009, Canal Winchester Schools has not asked our community to approve any new levies for school funding. During that time, we’ve worked hard to build a balanced budget, maintain a healthy cash reserve, and make smart investments in our schools—all without asking voters for more money. This has allowed us to create stability for students and staff while funding major improvements.
Now, a proposed change in the state budget threatens the progress we’ve made together. If passed, it could reduce the funding our district receives and limit our ability to manage our resources. That’s why our superintendent, treasurer, and school board members are actively advocating for fair funding—and you can, too.

Here are three key messages we need lawmakers to hear:

1. Keep the Fair Funding Formula.
   Ohio’s Fair School Funding Plan was designed to fix a school funding system that was ruled unconstitutional more than 25 years ago. It’s been phased in slowly since 2022, and if it continues to be implemented faithfully, Policy Matters Ohio estimates it should provide an additional $9.2 million in state funding for Canal Winchester Schools over the next two years. But instead, the Ohio House has proposed eliminating the formula and freezing school funding at current levels, which would give us only $180,000 more over the next two years.
    
2. Remove the cap on cash carryover.
   A new proposal would limit school districts from carrying over more than 30% of their operating budget each year. Thanks to smart planning, Canal Winchester Schools has a healthy carryover of about 80%. This allows us to:

• Maintain programs that support safety, mental health, career pathways, and early learning
• Fund major improvements—like our new all-day kindergarten addition and upcoming performing arts center—without new taxes
• Secure strong bond ratings, making borrowing more affordable
• Avoid going back on the ballot to ask for new levies
   

1. Invest public dollars in public education.
   This year, Canal Winchester Schools received about $3,577 per student from the state. Yet under the EdChoice voucher program, the state would fund up to $6,000 for elementary and middle school students and $8,400 for high school students to attend private schools. Even though public schools serve 1.5 million of Ohio’s students compared to 150,000 in the voucher program, the House budget gives more new dollars to private school vouchers ($265 million) than to public schools ($180 million). We believe that if a school receives public money, it should be held to the same standards as public schools. Because public schools are here for all kids. We're asking Ohio's legislators to be here for them too. 

How You Can Help
Use our downloadable letter and phone script to reach out to your state legislators. Ask them to support fair school funding and local control. Together, we can make sure Canal Winchester Schools stays strong for generations to come.