Cincinnati Public Schools earned its first three-star rating on Ohio's state report card, Superintendent Shauna Murphy announced at the district's State of Schools address Oct. 27.

The milestone comes one week before Cincinnati voters decide on Issue 4, a five-year, 7-mill operating levy that would generate roughly $66.3 million per year. If approved, the levy would cost property owners $245 annually for every $100,000 of market value.

"For the very first time in the history of the star rating system in the state of Ohio, Cincinnati Public Schools has earned three stars overall," Murphy said at the event, held at the School for Creative and Performing Arts' Mayerson Theater, as reported by WCPO.

As we reported Oct. 27, the address also unveiled the district's 2026–2030 strategic plan. Murphy said the district had made progress despite more than $100 million in budget cuts over the last two budget cycles.

The district moved from 2.5 out of 5 stars to 3 out of 5 stars overall, according to WCPO's September report card coverage. CPS now has the best overall rating among Ohio's three largest school districts. Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Columbus City Schools each scored 2.5 stars.

Not every category improved. CPS's progress component jumped from 2 stars to 4 stars, but its graduation component fell to 1 star. The district's four-year graduation rate dropped from 86.1% to 80.6%, according to WCPO. Murphy partly attributed the decline to about 225 students CPS accepted late in the spring from a charter school who were unable to graduate.

Murphy identified literacy, attendance and graduation rates as the key areas still needing improvement.

What the levy means for east-side homeowners

The Cincinnati Board of Education placed the levy on the Nov. 3 ballot after rescinding a previously approved 0.75% earned-income tax proposal, according to CPS's announcement. The board switched to a property-tax levy after hearing concerns from residents about the income-tax approach.

CPS has gone 10 years without asking voters for new operating money, according to the district's levy page. This spring, the district closed a projected $58 million budget gap through staffing reductions, five furlough days and spending controls to balance a $634.6 million general-fund budget for 2026–27.

Without new revenue, CPS projects an $89 million cash deficit by fiscal year 2030, the district said. Potential consequences include school closures, larger class sizes, reduced transportation and pay-to-play fees for athletics.

Board President Brandon Craig attributed the district's financial strain to state-level funding cuts. "We're facing a lot of challenges right now because we know funding for public schools is at risk," Craig said.

Craig did not address the levy from the stage during the Oct. 27 event. Asked afterward whether the district had made its case to voters, he said, "I think we've made a strong case."

Polls open Nov. 3.