An earned income tax levy for Bellefontaine City Schools (BCS) is one step closer to getting on the November 2026 ballot.

The issue was a main topic of discussion at the school board’s monthly meeting on Monday, May 11, in the Sloan Distance Learning Center at the high school.

After passing a resolution to move forward with the levy, board members heard an in-depth presentation regarding school levies from Paul Rutter, a public finance attorney at Bricker Graydon Wyatt in Columbus.

Rutter explained the benefits of an income tax levy compared to a property one. He also noted that state funding to public schools has significantly decreased over the last five to 10 years. As a result, hundreds of schools face deficit spending in their respective five-year forecasts.

“The money has to come from somewhere for these districts,” Rutter explained.

Josh Wasson, BCS treasurer, then shared his argument for the levy.

“Bellefontaine City Schools has been fiscally responsible with taxpayer funds by making several strategic staffing adjustments in recent years to save money while only being on the ballot three times since 2011,” Wasson said.

“Unfortunately,” he continued, “public school districts have been put in a position where expenses are increasing but revenues are not. BCS needs local community assistance to maintain the basic programming our students need and deserve.”

The board will consider a final resolution at their next monthly meeting on Monday, June 16, at 6:30 p.m.

In other board action, the middle school and high school athletic codes were approved.

The non-renewal of employee Hunter Siler was approved as well.

In addition, the board passed a resolution to adopt the NIST Cybersecurity Framework version 2.0 as the official system for BCS. It will be implemented in accordance with Ohio House Bill 96.