Dear Tecumseh Local Families,

Legislation Update: House Bill 335 and Our Schools 

Tecumseh Local Schools would like to make our families aware of Ohio House Bill 335, a proposed piece of legislation that could have serious financial implications and consequences for public schools across the state, including our school district.

If passed, HB 335 would eliminate key local funding tools such as emergency, replacement, and substitute levies, critical revenue sources that districts like ours rely on to support academic programs, staffing, safety measures, and student services. Tecumseh Local Schools has relied on the passage of emergency levies for the past thirty years. Annually, our two current emergency levies generate approximately 2.8 million dollars.

Additionally, HB 335 proposes to eliminate inside millage, which is a local funding source that has been in existence in Ohio since 1934. This substantial reduction in funding would cause additional and immediate reductions and cuts and would further erode local control over school funding.

Even more concerning, the bill does not offer any plan to replace this vital funding. Over the years, our community has worked in partnership with us, passing emergency levies that directly support our students and schools. HB 335 undermines this local control and threatens the stability of our district’s future.

This legislation would erode the work our district has done over the years to reduce spending and costs and would require our district to come to voters to ask for additional levy money, above and beyond what will already be needed in the near future.

We respectfully urge our legislators to carefully weigh the long-term consequences of HB 335 and to oppose provisions that would negatively impact Tecumseh Local Schools and public education across Ohio. Protecting our public schools is essential to safeguarding the future of our students, families, and communities.

We encourage our families and community to reach out to their state legislators and express their concerns. (Contact information is listed below).

We remain committed to advocating for what’s best for our students and keeping our community informed. Thank you for standing with Tecumseh Local Schools.

Sincerely,

Paula Crew

Ohio Senate President, Rob McColley, (614) 466-8150, mccolley@ohiosenate.gov 

Ohio Speaker of the House Matt Huffman, (614) 466-6344, rep78@ohiohouse.gov

State Senator Kyle Koehler, (614) 466-3780, koehler@ohiosenate.gov

State House Representative Bernard Willis, (614) 466-2038, rep74@ohiohouse.gov