State Budget to Cut Kings Funding
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's initial state budget cuts Kings’ funding by approximately $2,000,000 in school years 2025-2027.
We are collaborating with state and county advocacy groups, as well as community members to push for adjustments to the budget proposal which will provide essential resources for our growing diverse student population and support property tax relief for elderly and disabled residents. If you would like to help advocate to protect Kings’ funding, you can take action by contacting our state legislators. Simply use this form letter and send it to these legislators and their aides.
The Kings Board and Administration has worked to positively impact the budget by generating revenue or implementing cost efficiencies resulting in 7.2 million dollars in the last 2 years. This initiative from the Board and administration has been implemented without disrupting the classroom experience and academic focus in our district. The goal is to increase that number to 8 million dollars in 2026. The District is always looking at ways to become more efficient but continue to maintain high academic environments for our staff and students.
Kings just recently reached over 5,000 students. Since 2015, Kings has increased enrollment by nearly 900 students. Currently, there are 300 more students in grades 1-6 than in 7-12, and several of those classes have reached the 400 per class mark. As the district continues to grow, there is also an increase in the diverse needs of the student population.
Kings Superintendent, Greg Sears presented to the Kings Board of Education where he showed comparisons of staffing, enrollment, cost per pupil, administrative costs per pupil, and state revenue to neighboring school districts as well as statewide peer districts; those districts in Ohio that are similar to Kings. To summarize, here are a few points that he made:
- The state vastly underfunds Kings to educate our rapidly growing population of English Language Learners (ELL).
- Kings has highly efficient staffing ratios compared to neighbor and statewide peer districts.
- Kings has significantly lower per-pupil expenditures than the average of our statewide peer group (Average: $16,024, Kings—$14,596).
- Kings is increasing in enrollment but receiving less state funding.
- Kings receives less money from the state than all of our neighbor peers, with the exception of Sycamore. Kings receeives$3,555 (Mason receives $1,000 more per student, Lebanon receives $1,600 more and Loveland receives $700 more).
To learn more, watch Mr. Sears' presentation.
Kings Treasurer Mike Morrow explained more about the state budget to the Board. Please contact Mr. Morrow, at mmorrow@kingslocal.net with any questions regarding the state budget or Kings finances.
