As efforts to curtail and even end property taxes have taken flight in Ohio, more school districts are considering income taxes as a valid alternative.
That includes New Philadelphia City Schools in Tuscarawas County. The school board voted earlier this month to place a 1.5% income tax on the May ballot.
“We’ve been at the ballot four times,” said Treasurer Julie Erwin of recent levy asks. “And our public, our community every time has voted it down, 60-40, and they make it very well known that they can’t afford it. Our farmers can’t afford additional property taxes, so we looked at our funding options and decided an earned income tax would help those that say they can’t afford it the most, which is senior citizens, our farmers and our businesses.”…