Superintendent calls levy 'investment' in future

FINDLAY — Andy Hatton, superintendent of Findlay City Schools, sat for a video interview with The Courier Thursday to discuss Findlay City Schools' upcoming second try for a 1% earned income tax levy on the ballot. If approved in May, the levy would generate roughly $13 million, helping the district address its current $12.7 million deficit and reduce further budget cuts. Hatton said funds generated from the levy are put towards the district's operating funds, covering expenses such as salaries, benefits, transportation and materials. The district has not received new operating funds since 2004. "At about this time last year, they brought in a school financial expert to look at our financial health," said Hatton. "The recommendation was a 1% earned income tax for several reasons. It would match the deficit. What we would pull in on that one percent earned income tax would almost match that deficit to help offset that, stabilize our budget, and it would reduce our overreliance on property taxes." In November, the district put the 1% earned income tax levy on the ballot, where it failed with 52.18% against and 47.82% in favor. In recent months, with the tax on the ballot once again, voters have voiced concerns over the district's handling of its finances. "The thing that we battle nowadays is a lot of misinformation and things that just are not factually true," said Hatton. "What we are trying to do in Findlay City Schools is tell our story, be open with our story, lean into the facts, and lean into transparency." If approved, here's what Hatton said the levy would help: The district's long term goals of becoming financially stable over time Avoid further budget cuts, including $4 million for the 2026-27 school year Support programs, services and rising costs, ensuring high quality education for students Minimize the future costs of taxes to the community's older residents "Over 90% of the students in Ohio attend public schools," said Hatton. "What I would say to voters is this needs to be looked at as an investment in the short term and long term of our property values and of our economic value. An educated populace is what separates us from the rest of the world." Hatton said the levy is more than just a tax burden for citizens — it's an opportunity to support public education and invest in future Findlay graduates who become a part of an educated workforce and in return, give back to the community.