10/22/2026
Ross County Democratic Party Endorses CCSD Levy
10/22/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Ross County Democratic Party voted to endorse the Chillicothe City School District Earned Income Tax Levy at its meeting last night. The proposed levy only taxes earned income (wages, salaries, and self-employment income). It does not apply to Social Security benefits, pensions, or interest income. A 0.75% tax amounts to $0.75 for every $100 earned.
We know that families are hurting right now, feeling the strain of sharply rising costs, so we understand that looking to voters to dig into their pockets again isn’t an easy ask. But it’s not our children’s fault that the state has failed them by reducing funding year after year, leaving local communities to make up the difference with levies. It’s not our children’s fault that the state has chosen to give tax breaks to billionaires and data centers rather than prioritizing the development of young minds into a competitive workforce and informed electorate. We cannot punish students for the failures of our legislators.
Ohio’s school funding model is one of the worst in the country, having been declared unconstitutional by the courts multiple times over in the last thirty years. That we now rank 44th nationally in state funding for K-12 education is an embarrassment to a state that has a rich history of educational achievement.
The Statehouse’s long-term veto-proof Republican supermajority has repeatedly demonstrated their unwillingness to prioritize public education in Ohio, with the newest budget cutting state appropriations for schools by yet another 2.8%. In order to truly solve this funding crisis and end overreliance on local levies, we must elect leaders who will actively and adequately fund our schools at the state level, but our children cannot wait for these long overdue changes to take effect. They need education now to be prepared for the future.
Without the funds that this levy provides, even deeper cuts than the substantial ones already made will seriously harm our schools’ ability to operate. CCSD would return to deficit spending next school year and run out of funds completely by 2030. We cannot allow that to happen on our watch.
We strongly encourage voters to attend the virtual informational Q&A meeting this evening at 6pm: https://meet.google.com/jzs-cxmf-ncq
For more information on the levy, and on the District’s spending and efforts to reduce costs, visit www.communityforcavs.com.
Sarah Senff
Chair, Ross County Democratic Party
