Dear Northwest Local School District Residents,
As your district leaders, we write to you not as politicians or advocates, but as fellow community members and stewards of the public education system that shapes the heart of our community. We share your concern over rising property taxes. We, too, open those tax bills with hesitation. But it’s important that we share the full story of what’s happening across our state—and how decisions made in Columbus are affecting Northwest Local and communities like ours across Ohio.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: The State Has Shifted the Burden to Local Communities
Over the past two decades, Ohio lawmakers have gradually changed the way our schools are funded. These changes weren’t made overnight, but they have had a cumulative impact that now places an unprecedented financial burden on local taxpayers.
Here’s what the data shows: In 2002, Ohio ranked 35th in the nation for state funding of K–12 education. By 2023, that ranking dropped to 45th, among the lowest in the country. The state's share of funding post DeRolph (1997 Ohio Supreme Court case) fell from 45.7% to 32.2% Meanwhile, the local property tax share increased from 54.3% to 67.8% of total education funding.
In short, while most states cover around 45% of education costs through state revenue, Ohio now covers only a third, leaving local homeowners and businesses to pick up the difference.
The state legislature is considering multiple property tax reform bills such as HB186 and HB335. In the Northwest Local School District, our state funding is projected to shrink to just 10%, meaning 90% of the cost of basic education falls on our community. And with this proposed legislation we could lose over $5 million in annual revenue—money that would otherwise go toward academic programs, student supports, and classroom innovation.
This Affects More Than Just Schools
We understand that rising property taxes are a real concern. However, it’s critical to understand what those dollars support—not just our schools, but the core services that keep our community strong and safe.
Property taxes fund:
Our children’s education: from teachers and classroom resources to safety measures.
Local fire, police, and emergency services: the first responders we all rely on. Infrastructure: roads, bridges, and maintenance that keep our neighborhoods connected.
Community programs: from parks and recreation to senior services that strengthen our quality of life.
Proposals currently being discussed in the state legislature, such as House Bills 186 and 335, would further reduce or even eliminate key portions of state funding for education. If enacted, these measures could devastate local communities, like ours, forcing even greater reliance on property taxes or leading to deep cuts in essential services.
Our Students Deserve Better
Every child in Northwest Local deserves the same opportunities that generations before them had: safe schools, dedicated teachers, and programs that prepare them for success in life. Those are not luxuries. They are investments in our shared future.
The issue isn’t mismanagement at the local level—it’s state disinvestment. When Ohio ranks $2,672 below the national average in state funding per pupil, local districts like ours are left to fill the gap through property taxes. That’s not sustainable.
A Call for Real Solutions
We are not writing to defend the status quo or to ask you to accept higher taxes. We are calling for real, balanced reform—solutions that reduce the burden on local homeowners while ensuring our students and communities continue to thrive.
Real reform means:
State-Funded Targeted Relief for Those Who Need It Most
Enhanced property tax relief for seniors on fixed incomes
Expanded exemptions for residents with disabilities
Strengthened homestead exemptions for low-income families
Sustainable Growth Protections
Reasonable limits on year-over-year increases
Caps tied to inflation and household income growth
Automatic review triggers when property tax increases exceed fair thresholds
Local Control and Transparency
Greater flexibility for local governments in structuring abatements and exemptions
More transparency in how state and local tax incentives are granted and monitored
We need our state legislators to be partners in solving this problem—not bystanders watching local communities shoulder the weight of decisions made in Columbus.
Take Action: Contact Your Legislators
If you believe Ohio must do better for our students and communities, your voice matters. Please reach out to your state legislators and urge them to:
Protect fair and stable funding for public schools
Oppose legislation that shifts even more burden onto local taxpayers
Support balanced property tax reform that provides real relief without harming education
Sincerely,
Darrell Yater, Superintendent
Amy M. Wells, CFO/Treasurer
Northwest Local School District