Edgewood School voters reject school earned income tax
May 2—TRENTON — Voters in the Edgewood City Schools district rejected the district's first proposed earned income tax, according vote tallies late Tuesday evening.
The 1% earned income tax lost, according to unofficial vote totals, by a 57% to 43% margin as reported by the Butler County Board of Elections with all precincts reporting.
The proposed earned income tax hike, which would not have impacted Edgewood school residents on fixed incomes or those retired, was the first time the 3,600-school system had been on the ballot asking for new operating funds since 2005.
Without new operating funds from raise in local tax revenue, Edgewood officials have warned of pending budget cuts that would include reductions in student programs and school personnel.
Other possible budget cuts could include the elimination of high school busing and elective course offerings including possibly advanced classes.
The district, which like all public school systems is mandated by Ohio law to operate without prolonged budget deficits, has already cut $1.6 million during the current 2022-2023 school year from its $38.7 million annual operating budget.
An additional million dollars more of operating costs would be required to be eliminated in the wake of Tuesday's loss at the election polls.
Edgewood Schools Superintendent Kelly Spivey acknowledged the complaints of some voters going to the polls Tuesday as they cited the increased inflationary costs in recent years for their "no" vote on approving the 1% earned income tax.
"We understand that this request is being made during difficult economic times," Spivey told the Journal-News.
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