By Logan Andrew | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
BUCYRUS, OH— In a rare display of unity, three Crawford County school districts—Colonel Crawford, Wynford, and Bucyrus City Schools—are raising alarms over House Bill 335, a sweeping tax proposal that could wipe out core funding, disrupt long-term planning, and force staffing and program cuts in districts already operating on tight margins.
If passed, HB 335 would eliminate inside millage, a key source of local school funding, while also placing new limits on property tax levies. Local officials say the bill threatens to undo decades of fiscal stewardship, leaving schools with fewer tools to meet growing student needs.
What is HB 335?
House Bill 335, sponsored by Reps. Dave Thomas and Bill Roemer, proposes a major restructuring of Ohio’s school funding system:
- Eliminates all inside millage for schools, cities, and counties—removing a critical stream of unvoted, stable local funding.
- Prevents renewal of existing emergency levies, even those previously approved by voters.
- Empowers county budget commissions to cap or reduce local levies—even voter-approved ones—if district fund balances exceed 30%.
- Provides no alternative revenue plan to replace lost funding.
One education official described it as the “largest K–12 funding cut in state history.”
Bucyrus: Deficit of Over $2.8 Million by FY29
According to the Ohio School Boards Association’s forecasting simulation, Bucyrus City Schools would lose $677,141.15 each year under HB 335 due to the removal of 5.6 mills of inside millage. By Fiscal Year 2029, the district is projected to run a deficit of $2.8 million if the bill becomes law.
Treasurer Lisa Thoman-Cha confirmed the numbers in a statement to FreeWire and noted that the district’s certified assessed valuation is $128,105,410, according to the Crawford County Auditor.
While Bucyrus has not issued a formal position on the bill, Superintendent Bob Britton and the district’s finance team are closely monitoring its progress, citing serious concerns about long-term sustainability.
Colonel Crawford: “Punishes Responsible Districts”
Colonel Crawford Local Schools was the first in the area to directly warn staff about the impacts of HB 335, calling the bill a form of punishment for fiscal responsibility.
With no new revenue from the state and a history of careful budgeting, the district currently uses inside millage to maintain operations without frequent levy requests. If HB 335 passes, the district would also lose $677,141.15 annually, resulting in a projected deficit of $2.8 million by FY29, even under conservative forecasting.
In a letter signed by Superintendent Mike Voll and Treasurer David Sheldon, the district warned that HB 335 would “remove our ability to adjust for inflation,” “increase levy pressure,” and “reduce local control.”
“HB 96 is promoting a provision of capping schools operating reserves at 30%. This limitation could lead up to major loss in school revenue, forcing districts to cut programs and seek additional levies,” the letter reads.
Wynford: $2 Million Annual Hit
Wynford Local Schools issued a statement on June 12, estimating an annual loss of $1.6 million from the loss of inside millage, plus $350,000 from an emergency levy dating back to 1994. The total—nearly $2 million per year—could devastate operations.
In their letter to families, Superintendent Forrest Trisler and Treasurer Leesa Smith wrote:
“This would force significant staff reductions, impact class sizes, and reduce intervention support, College Credit Plus courses, mental health services, and more.”
Wynford urged district residents to contact Senator Bill Reineke and Representative Riordan McClain, who both represent the area in Columbus.
What’s at Stake in Crawford County?
If HB 335 passes, every district in the county would lose a key source of funding with no replacement in sight. The loss would not only impact general operations—it could also reduce offerings in enrichment, college readiness, and student mental health services.
Critically, the bill empowers unelected county budget commissions to override local voters, placing arbitrary caps on how much schools can raise or retain in reserves.
Contact Your Legislators
Local leaders are urging residents to speak up:
- Sen. Bill Reineke – (614) 466-8049 | Reineke@ohiosenate.gov
- Rep. Riordan McClain – (614) 466-6265 | Rep87@ohiohouse.gov
With billions in school funding on the line, the next few weeks could reshape the future of public education across Ohio—and Crawford County schools want to make sure voters understand what’s at stake before it’s too late.
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