Property taxes, levies, millage and school funding can be confusing, but they affect every community.

In this episode of Report to the Office, OSBA President Mary Cleveland talks with Princeton City Schools Treasurer Christine Poetter about how school districts are funded, why local taxpayers are being asked to carry more of the load, and how those dollars support students, staff, buildings and daily operations.

They also discuss common misconceptions about school district finances, the difference between property tax and income tax levies, why cash balances can be misunderstood, and how community members can stay informed and involved.

Topics include:

• Where school funding comes from.
• Why property tax bills can change.
• How levy dollars reach the classroom.
• The role of the district treasurer.
• Why school funding is a community issue.

Understanding school funding is one way communities can better support students and public education.

00:00 Introduction
00:18 Where do your property taxes go?
00:50 Meet Christine Poetter
02:17 Biggest misconception about school funding
04:02 Main sources of school funding
05:21 Local taxpayers vs. state funding
07:30 Property tax levies vs. income tax levies
11:30 Millage and valuation explained
12:48 Why tax bills can change
15:23 How tax dollars reach the classroom
18:27 Why cash balances can be misunderstood
19:02 Schools are a people business
20:39 Hard financial decisions districts face
23:11 What every Ohio resident should understand
25:33 How community members can stay informed
27:17 Closing remarks

For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.