Help Secure The Future Of Our School For Our Students!

May 6, 2025
Coldwater School Tax Levy Information

The Need Is Real!
We have listened and strived to communicate with the utmost transparency.
  
We are dedicated to securing funding for the continued success and improvement of our school system and facilities.  The restructured tax levy allows us to financially position our school to be able to address the most urgent needs of Coldwater Schools:

We're asking you to take a closer look to understand why the passage of this levy can't wait any longer.  This is more critical than ever given the evolving landscape and direction of state legislation.

Your involvement and support are crucial to the future of Coldwater Schools. 
School Board Members: Terry Schroyer, Jack Waite, Greg Bruns, Jim Miller, Mike Hoying

the ask ??

Upcoming Tax Levy (May 2025)

Propose .5% Traditional Income Tax
 5-Year Term Operating Levy 

Will be in addition to the current .5% operating levy, which will remain in effect.

Estimated Annual Revenue

1.4 Million Per Year


Who Will Be Impacted?

Non-taxable income: Social Security benefits, disability and survivor benefits, railroad retirement benefits, welfare benefits, child support, gifts, bequests, inheritances, and workers' compensation benefits.

Taxable income: Wages, salaries, tips, interest, dividends, unemployment compensation, self-employment income (included in OAGI), taxable scholarships and fellowships, pensions, annuities, IRA distributions, capital gains, state and local bond interest (except Ohio government bonds), federal bond interest (exempt from federal tax but subject to state tax), alimony received, and other sources.

From Ohio Department of Taxation
Fair School Funding Plan 
vs. House “Bridge” Plan
Coldwater Schools faces two very different funding scenarios over the next five years.

The House Budget passed a "bridge" funding plan that would replace the current Fair School Funding Plan.
What It Means for 
Coldwater Schools
Coldwater's current 5-year forecast is based on the continuation of the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP).

This provides more realistic and gradually increasing state support by updating key inputs—like enrollment and costs—every two years. The cost to fully fund the Fair School Funding Plan is estimated to cost the state between $666 million to $800 million.

The new House “Bridge” Plan, on the other hand, throws out the FSFP and moves to a flat funding model which mirrors past practices that did not account for the varying financial situations of school districts. 

This is estimated to cost the state $226 million, a significant decrease from what they approved with the full implementation of the Fair School Funding Plan.

5-year forecast & state funding outlook

Fair School Funding Plan

(subject to change with pending state legislation) Chart In Millions The FSFP was passed in 2021 as a 6-year phase-in plan. Our current revenue forecast relies on the continuation of the FSFP, with the state-funded amounts detailed in the chart.

Lost Revenue - New House "Bridge" Plan

Chart in Millions Under the new proposed House Budget, we could lose up to $613K in revenue for FY26-27 and a total of $1.892M in revenue by FY29.

5-Year Operating Profit Forecast

Thousands (FY2029 Millions) Forecast is based on all funding sources (including the continuation of FSFP funding levels) and operating expenses.

Why This Matters Locally
Despite funding challenges, Coldwater Schools has worked hard to live within its means. 

We Have:
  • Delayed essential infrastructure repairs 
  • Held off on upgrading major equipment 
  • postponed ciriculum adoptions 
  • Made frugal choices to avoid entering fiscal caution, watch, or emergency
But even under the more favorable FSFP scenario, we face a structural deficit. The House plan makes that deficit worse—jeopardizing our ability to maintain current services and staffing levels.
A Responsible Path Forward
To maintain quality programs and address long-delayed needs, we are once again asking the community to support a 0.5% traditional income tax levy. 

This local revenue is necessary to: 
  • Stabilize our financial future 
  • Address overdue facility and curriculum needs 
  • Avoid harmful cuts through future attrition that could affect students directly
This levy is a practical and essential step to preserve the excellent educational experience our community expects and our students deserve.

why we need this tax levy now

Unfunded Priorities & Future State Funding In The Balance

Infrastructure

Past Due = $99,000 Anytime =$1,685,500 Next 3 Years = $955,000 Within 5 Years - $1,093,800 TOTAL = $3,833,300 Click Here For Complete List

Technology

2025 = $268,970 2026 = $119,320 2027 = $430,400 2028 = $129,320 TOTAL = $948,010 Click Here For Complete List

Instructional Necessities

Anytime/Yearly = $659,066 Next 3 Years = $567,500 Within 5 Years = $336,000 TOTAL = $1,562,566 Click Here For Complete List

How We Compare To Area Schools

financial charts data

Click On Tabs Below, (mouse over charts to see data points) 

Days Cash (Cash Reserves)

FY 2024

Income Tax Rate %

Celina - 1% Earned (2004) St Marys - 1% Earned (2019) Coldwater - .5% Traditional (1990) Versailles - 1% Traditional (2005) St Henry - No Income Tax Parkway - 1% Traditional (1996) Marion Local - .5% Earned (2024) Ft Recovery - 1.5% Traditional (1991) Minster - 1% Traditional (2007) New Bremen - 1% Traditional (2005)

Total Revenue Per Pupil

FY 2024

Income Tax Per Pupil

FY 2024

Property Tax Per Pupil

FY 2024

Total Expenditure Per Pupil

FY 2024

expenditure metrics in celina metro area

Rankings Out Of 13 Schools

 
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Performance & Achievements To Be Proud Of
 
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CAVALIER PRIDE WILL REMAIN STRONG
No Matter The Outcome
Thank You For Your Support!

any questions, reach out to superintendent, doug mader

  • 310 North 2nd Street, Coldwater, OH, USA