Bond and Permanent Improvement Projects
How are Ohio School Districts Funded?
School districts in Ohio are financed with a combination of federal, state and local funds.
At the state level, school districts receive funding from the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODE) general revenue funds and Ohio Lottery profits.
At the local level, school districts receive funding from locally levied property taxes. School districts also can receive funding from income taxes approved by voters.
What is a property tax levy
A property tax levy is the collection of taxes charged on the value of property. Each district must follow a process described in Ohio law in order for taxes to be levied on property within the district.
Boards of education propose additional local tax revenues by board resolution. School districts can place a levy on the ballot up to three times a year on specified election dates.
If a majority of voters in an election approve the tax, county officials charge and collect the tax under the terms specified in the tax levy proposal. The collected funds are then disbursed to the district.
When a levy is placed on the ballot, it must identify as its objective a legally defined school district purpose.
Permanent Improvement Projects at Chapelfield | July 2023
What is the Difference Between a Bond and Permanent Improvement Levy?
Bond Levy
A bond levy is a property tax levy used to provide a school district with local revenue for construction purposes.
The county auditor determines the rate of a bond levy needed each year to service the principal and interest owed on the amount of bonded debt approved by voters when they approved the bond levy. Bond levies remain in place until the debt (principal and interest) is fully paid, typically 20 or more years.
Permanent Improvement Levy
A permanent improvement levy is a limited or continuing levy used for maintenance and repair of school property, and, in some circumstances, for renovation and building projects.
Boards of education propose permanent improvement levies as a specific dollar amount of new revenue. That proposal is reviewed by the county auditor, who determines the actual millage necessary to produce the dollar amount. The levy, once approved by voters, is subject to the tax reduction factor.
RELATED LINKS
Ohio School Boards Association: Understanding School Levies Fact Sheet (PDF)
Your GJPS Bond and Permanent Improvement Dollars at Work
Permanent Improvement Levy (2014)
In November 2014, the voters of Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools passed a 2.16 mill permanent improvement levy to fund building repairs such as roofs, HVAC systems, windows, lighting, etc.
Bond Levy (2018, 2020)
In May 2018 and November 2020, voters approved bond levies to fund projects for Phase One and Phase Two of the GJPS Master Facilities Plan.
GJPS Bond and Permanent Improvement Projects
The following is running list of how the permanent improvement and bond levy dollars are invested back into our GJPS schools each year.