2025 Ballot Initiative Overview: Cincinnati CPS
NOTE: The REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati has not taken a formal position on school levy’s (see the RAGC Policy Positions HERE). This White Paper is simply an issue briefing to provide information to REALTORS® and their clients.
Summary
The Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) Board of Education has approved the placement of a 10-year renewal property tax levy on the November 4, 2025, ballot. The levy is not a new tax, but a renewal of an existing measure that currently brings in $48 million annually for CPS. Prior versions of this levy were approved in previous years, most recently in 2020 with broad public support (about 70% voted in favor).
Ballot Language and Proposal
Type: 10-year renewal of an existing property tax levy—not a new or increased tax.
Purpose: To continue funding essential school operations, including educational programs, facilities, and services for Cincinnati Public Schools.
Amount: $48 million per year.
Duration: 2026–2035 if approved.
Reason for renewal (instead of increasing): CPS board members argued a substitute levy would risk voter rejection, threatening current funding levels.
Impact on Schools, Homeowners, and Home Values
Public Schools:
- Funding ensures stability for educational programs, staffing, extracurriculars, and building maintenance.
- Loss of this levy would trigger budget cuts, risking reductions to teaching staff, programs, and facility upkeep.
Homeowners:
- If passed, homeowners would continue paying the same property tax rate for CPS as they have since the last renewal—no increase.
- If defeated, schools would lose funding and could put pressure on local property values by reducing educational quality.
- Budgetary stress from state-level changes means renewal is critical for schools to avoid shifting more financial burdens onto local taxpayers.
Home Values:
- Quality schools are a strong factor in protecting and enhancing property values.
- Stable school funding is typically neutral or positive for property values; cuts to funding can hurt values if CPS must reduce services or programs.
Economic Impact: Potential impact on home values, should the CPS renewal levy fail
If the Cincinnati Public Schools levy were to fail, research analyzing Ohio school levy failures found a clear and measurable impact on home values. Specifically, homes in districts that failed to renew a levy experienced an average decrease of $7,600 in value, with even untreated markets (nearby or indirectly affected homes) seeing a decrease of $1,800.
This decline in value stems from a reduction in perceived school quality, which outweighs any tax savings from a lower property tax bill. For example, according to the cited study, while homeowners might save approximately $655 annually in taxes from a failed levy, the total loss in home price over the typical levy cycle was about $7,600—far greater than the tax savings over the same period ($3,374).
In practical terms, if the average home in Cincinnati is valued at $250,000, a failed school levy could result in an average loss of around 3%, or about $7,600, on its market value within a year after the levy failure. This highlights the strong connection between stable school funding and property values in the district.
“Homes within a school district that failed a renewal levy the previous year can expect to see a $7,600 decrease in value on average, while the average treatment on the untreated is estimated to be a decrease of $1,800.”
This example illustrates the financial risk to homeowners of a failed renewal levy with regard to potential short-term tax savings vs. property value impact.
Pros and Cons of the Proposal and Strategy
Pros
- Sustains vital services without raising taxes.
- Maintains stability for school operations, benefiting students and teachers.
- Renewal less risky for losing funding than proposing a higher, substitute levy.
- Supports neighborhood property values through continued school performance.
- Avoids increased tax burden amid challenging state budget environment.
Cons
- Does not increase funding, so programs or improvements might remain underfunded during inflation or rising costs.
- School finances remain vulnerable to future state-level funding changes.
- Some advocates may wish CPS would try for increased funds to address growing educational needs.
REALTOR® Perspective
NOTE: The REALTOR® Alliance of Greater Cincinnati has not taken a formal position on school levy’s (see the RAGC Policy Positions HERE). This White Paper is simply an issue briefing to provide information to REALTORS® and their clients. REALTORS®, in general tend to,
- Favor proposals that support stable, high-performing public schools (maintains/increases property values).
- Oppose measures that significantly raise property taxes above historical rates.
- Remain neutral on aggressive funding increases.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Impact |
| Ballot Language | 10-year renewal, $48M/year, no tax increase |
| Schools | Funds core operations, avoids disruptive cuts |
| Homeowners | Tax rate unchanged; avoids new tax burden |
| Home Values | Stable/strong schools support local property values |
| Pros | Protects funding, avoids increase, maintains stability |
| Cons | No additional funds raised, future challenges possible |
| Realtor Position | Neutral, yet tends to favor maintaining quality schools to protect property values |
In Summary
The Cincinnati CPS 2025 ballot initiative proposes renewing a property tax levy for another 10 years to maintain current school funding, providing stability for students, families, and property owners. Proponents say that Its passage is crucial to avoid disruption of services and protect property value, which positively impacts neighborhood desirability.