Centerville district hears sweeping legislative update on property tax, curriculum and funding bills

Doctor Graff, providing the board—s legislative report, summarized multiple bills moving through the Ohio General Assembly and described how they could affect Centerville City Schools.

"House Bill 186 passed out of the house just last week. The vote was actually 72 to 23," Graff said, describing that bill—s intent to cap tax growth for districts on the 20-mill floor and noting an amendment allocating $465 million from a state fund to mitigate losses for some districts. Graff cautioned that the second payout in August 2027 would depend on the next budget cycle.

She described several other measures: House Bill 335 (capping tax growth on inside millage starting in tax year 2026), HB129 and HB309 (which would alter levy treatment and county budget commission authority), and a broader proposal (Senate Bill 93) that a sponsor presented as a conversation-starter to redesign school funding, including state-collected mills and a per-pupil funding amount.

Graff also reviewed education-focused bills that have advanced or had recent hearings: HB57 (signed into law to permit and regulate district naloxone policies and donations), SB156 (requiring —success sequence— instruction and associated reporting), SB144 (teacher grade-band licensing adjustments), and others addressing curriculum, math improvement plans and recess requirements.

Graff told the board the legislature was expected to be active before Thanksgiving and that the omnibus education bills would likely arrive next year. She emphasized uncertainty about how multiple property-tax bills would interact and advised board members and the community to monitor developments closely.

All content in this article is drawn from Dr. Graff—s presentation at the Oct. 27 meeting; no formal board action was taken on the bills during the meeting.