Voters were split on the region’s seven school levies on the May 6 ballot. Voters approved three, rejected three – and left one tied, according to unofficial results.
The election outcome will allow some districts to address an operating deficit, provide mental health resources for students or simply keep their buildings open. For other districts, the results likely make an already dire financial situation worse.
Here’s what voters decided for local school districts, and what that means for kids.
Madison Local School District − Tie
Where: Butler County
Margins: Madison Local School District’s levy ended up tied, with each side garnering 620 votes according to the unofficial results from the Butler County Board of Elections.
What’s at stake: Funds generated by the levy would be used to avoid a deficit.
Princeton City School District − Passed
Where: Hamilton County, Butler County and Warren County
Margins: Princeton City School District’s levy passed in Hamilton County but failed in Butler and Warren counties. Overall, the levy passed 53% to 47%.
The levy passed in the Hamilton County portion of the district, 54% to 46%, according to unofficial results from the Hamilton County Board of Elections.
The levy failed in the Warren County portion of the district, 58% to 42%, according to unofficial results from the Warren County Board of Elections, and in the Butler County portion of the district, 53% to 47%, according to the unofficial results from the Butler County Board of Elections.
What’s at stake: Princeton City School District faced potential school closures and staff cuts if the levy failed. The levy was placed on the May ballot after it failed in November 2024, leading to a hiring freeze, a reduction in bus transportation and the end to field trips unless they are 100% funded by grants.
The levy funds will be used for:
Edgewood City School District − Passed
Where: Butler County
Margins: Edgewood City School District’s levy passed 51% to 49%, according to unofficial results from the Butler County Board of Elections.
What’s at stake: The district proposed a 4.45 mills tax levy to help address its $2.9 million operating deficit. The levy will generate $3 million annually over 5 years.
Clinton-Massie Local School District − Passed
Where: Warren County and Clinton County
Margins: The Clinton-Massie Local Schools’ levy passed 52% to 48%, according to unofficial results from the Warren County Board of Elections. The levy also passed 57% to 43% in Clinton County, according to unofficial results from the Clinton County Board of Elections.
What’s at stake: According to the district’s website, the additional funds generated by the May levy will be used to:
The levy was placed on the ballot this May after voters rejected it last November. After the November levy failed, the district planned to eliminate roughly 10 teaching positions for the 2025-2026 school year, cut four support positions and increase pay-to-participate fees. Lamb said these changes will remain in place for the school year because the district will not begin collecting the increased revenue until Jan. 1, 2026.
Mt. Healthy City School District − Failed
Where: Hamilton County
Margins: Mt. Healthy City School District’s levy failed 62% to 38%, according to unofficial results from the Hamilton County Board of Elections.
What’s at stake: The district currently faces budget shortfalls, which have led to cuts in programs, increased class sizes and reduced services. The money would have funded:
Voters also rejected Mt. Healthy City School’s levy last November, the same year the district was placed on fiscal emergency by the state.
West Clermont Local School District − Failed
Where: Clermont County
Margins: The West Clermont Local Schools’ combined levy failed 83% to 17%, according to unofficial results from the Clermont County Board of Elections.
What’s at stake: According to a press release from the district, the levy would have funded the Master Facilities Plan, which addresses:
Franklin City School District − Failed
Where: Warren County
Margins: Franklin City Schools’ levy failed 66% to 34%, according to unofficial results from the Warren County Board of Elections.
What’s at stake: Because the levy failed, the district will eliminate $1.2 million in spending for the 2025-2026 school year. The district will:
Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed to this report.
This story was updated to add a video.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio election results: Which Greater Cincinnati school levies passed, failed
Reporting by Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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