BOWLING GREEN
2025 Operating Levy
our kids, our community, our future
Images provided by BG Families for Schools
WHY DO WE NEED THIS NOW?
Our school district is asking voters for new funds to support day-to-day operations – and the reason is simple: Our last levy for new operating funds (passed in 2010!) is no longer meeting the needs of our students and teachers.
BG City Schools recently had to make $2.6 million in cuts to balance the budget for the 2025-26 school year. Those cuts include 29 jobs, nearly all bussing for residents living in Bowling Green, and all athletics and other extracurriculars. Sports, marching band, arts, drama, music, camp, field trips... GONE.
To reverse these cuts, our community needs to vote YES for our schools on May 6.
1. how has the district seen costs increase?
Although the district regularly evaluates and pursues cost-cutting measures, rising costs, including services, benefits, and salaries, have exceeded district revenue. During the past ten years, the district's revenues have increased at an average annual rate of 1.75%. However, costs of products and services necessary to conduct day-to-day school business have increased at an average annual rate of 2.42%. And, over the same period, state funding has actually decreased. BGCS received approximately $327,000 less in state funding in fiscal year 2024 than the district received ten years ago.
2. What is an operating levy?
There are three “buckets” of school funding: 1. Bonds used for new buildings; 2. Permanent Improvement Levies used to improve existing property; and 3. Operating Levies (like this one) that fund everything necessary for day-to-day operations, including pay for teachers, utilities, transportation, repairs, and classroom supplies. Ohio law requires these funds be kept separate and only used for the stated purpose.
3. what is the district doing to control costs?
The district regularly evaluates and pursues cost-cutting measures. In the recent past, such measures have included participating in purchasing consortiums; streamlining administrative processes; and obtaining more than $1.9 million in grants during the 2024 fiscal year. The district also secured a low interest rate on the bonds issued to build the new high school. The annual property tax rate for the new high school has dropped from 5.5 mills to 4.34 mills – that means the owner of a $200,000 home will pay $80 less a year than forecasted for the new high school project.
What happens if the levy fails?
Significant cuts across the district.
BG City Schools recently had to make $2.6 million in cuts to balance next school year's budget. Those cuts include 29 jobs, nearly all bussing for residents living in Bowling Green, and all athletics and other extracurriculars. Sports, marching band, arts, drama, music, camp, field trips... GONE.
A complete list of the cuts approved for next school year by the School Board are available on the District's website.
To reverse these cuts, our community needs to vote YES for our schools on May 6.
