Cincinnati Public Schools has until Monday, August 3 to submit a levy resolution to the Hamilton County Board of Elections for the November ballot. With no vote yet taken, the district's Budget, Finance and Growth Committee met Friday, July 17 to review the 2026-27 budget, strategic plan financial models, transportation, and a facilities maintenance plan.

The stakes are concrete for east-side families. When students at Kilgour Elementary, Clark Montessori, and Withrow University High School return this fall, they will have fewer social workers, counselors, and assistant principals, according to a Monday, June 29 WVXU report featuring Superintendent Shauna Murphy, Board President Brandon Craig, and Treasurer Michael Gustin.

Levy options on the table

At the board's Tuesday, June 23 meeting, Gustin identified a current-expense levy at a five-year length as the most popular option, with possible millage rates of 6.11 or 8.53 mills. He framed the district's financial picture in three parts: operational funds needed now, a 2029 renewal when the emergency levy expires, and the end of the bond levy in 2031.

Three board members — Kari Armbruster, Kareem Moncree-Moffett, and Kendra Mapp — voiced support for a levy at that meeting, but the full board has not voted to place one on the ballot.

"I'm at a loss at this point," Armbruster said at the June 23 meeting. "The longer we continue to talk and not take action, the more these people have to sit here and listen to us just talk and not take action."

Murphy described the budget situation as a "Catch-22" at the same meeting, noting that strategic planning with national consulting nonprofit Bellwether was still in process.

What happened July 17

The committee's agenda, posted as a draft on Thursday, July 16, covered the 2026-27 budget, strategic plan financial models, a transportation update, and a facilities maintenance plan review, along with monthly financial reports from Kevin Ashley, Director of Financial Reporting & Transparency, and a grants update from Nan Hagood, Manager of State and Federal Grants. Meeting outcomes were not available at publication time.

What's next for east-side families

The full board must act before August 3 for voters to see a levy question in November. CPS has scheduled open houses for east-side schools: Clark Montessori High School on Thursday, August 13, 4-6 p.m., and Kilgour School on Monday, August 17, 4:30–6:30 p.m. Withrow High School's open house date has not been announced.