"Ohio is the only state in the country with a school funding system declared unconstitutional four separate times by its own Supreme Court — and the legislature still hasn't fixed it."
Ohio's school funding system isn't just broken — it's been ruled unconstitutional four times and never fixed.
The law that makes school funding impossible
In 1976, Ohio passed House Bill 920 to protect taxpayers from rising property values. But the law contains a fatal structural flaw that has crippled school funding for nearly five decades.
When voters approve a school levy, they're approving a specific dollar amount. As property values rise, HB 920 automatically reduces the effective millage to keep revenue frozen.
20 years of losses
Revenue keeps pace
Voter fatigue destroying communities
Because HB 920 freezes revenue, districts must return to voters every 3-5 years just to maintain current services.
Districts beg voters for money every few years just to keep the lights on
Levy campaigns pit neighbors against neighbors
"We just passed a levy 3 years ago!" — voters don't understand why
Programs cut, teachers laid off, students suffer
In May 2025, Huber Heights' 6.9-mill operating levy failed by just 3 votes. The district now faces severe budget cuts. This isn't a failure of the community. It's a failure of the system.
Your ZIP code determines your education
Under HB 920, educational quality is determined by local wealth, not student need.
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled this system unconstitutional because it creates "vast wealth-based disparities." Four times they said fix it. The legislature never did.
Public money leaving public schools
Ohio's universal voucher program diverts billions in public tax dollars to private schools — while HB 920 ensures public schools can't replace the lost revenue.
Vouchers drain revenue. HB 920 prevents recovery. The combination is devastating every Ohio community.
Massachusetts Proposition 2½ has delivered 40+ years of proven success. Ohio Proposition 3 adapts that framework with a 3% growth cap to fix our schools.
In 1980, Massachusetts voters faced the same crisis. They passed Proposition 2½, balancing taxpayer protection with sustainable funding. The result? 40+ years of stable funding and the nation's top-ranked education system.
Ohio Proposition 3 adopts the proven framework of Massachusetts Proposition 2½ — automatic growth, voter-approved overrides, debt exclusions, and taxpayer protections — but sets the annual growth cap at 3% (or CPI, whichever is less) to better reflect Ohio’s cost environment while still protecting taxpayers with a hard ceiling.
Revenue grows automatically each year — 2.5% in Massachusetts, 3% in Ohio Prop 3 — keeping pace with inflation.
Communities vote to permanently increase their levy limit for specific purposes.
Temporary increases for capital projects. Expires when debt is paid.
A hard 3% ceiling (or CPI, whichever is less). Communities can even vote to reduce their levy.
| Feature | Ohio HB 920 | MA Prop 2½ | Ohio Prop 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Revenue Growth | NONE — frozen | 2.5% + new growth | 3% (or CPI) + new growth |
| Inflation Adjustment | No | Yes — 2.5% | Yes — 3% or CPI cap |
| New Construction Revenue | No | Yes | Yes — added to base |
| Voter Control | New levies every 3-5 yrs | Override votes | Override votes for specific needs |
| Predictability | Unpredictable | Predictable | Predictable annual growth |
| Long-term Planning | Impossible | Enabled | Enabled by stable revenue |
| Transparency | Confusing | Clear | Clear + annual reporting |
| Sustainability | Perpetual crisis | Balanced | Balanced, sustainable growth |
| Education Rankings | Ohio declining | MA #1 nationally | Positioned to compete |
Too restrictive. Severe underfunding. Schools rank bottom half.
Complex, controversial, constantly litigated. Not viable.
Shifted to sales tax. Reduced local control. Different problems.
40+ years proven. Ohio Prop 3 adopts this framework with a 3% growth cap tailored to Ohio. Taxpayer protection + local control + path to educational excellence.
Levies grow by 3% annually (or CPI, whichever is less). New construction adds to the base. Sustainable baseline revenue.
Override votes for specific purposes. Majority approval required. Permanently increases the limit.
Temporary increases for capital projects. Expires when debt is paid.
Annual reporting on spending. Public accountability measures built in.
Hard 3% cap (or CPI, whichever is less). Voter approval for increases. Underride option preserved.
Ohio's Supreme Court told the legislature four times to fix it. They never did.
The Court rules 4-3 that Ohio's school funding is unconstitutional, violating Article VI, Section 2.
The Court rules again — still unconstitutional. Orders meaningful reform.
A third ruling. Orders elimination of wealth-based disparities.
An unprecedented fourth ruling. "We've told you four times. Fix it." They never did.
The General Assembly shall make such provisions, by taxation, or otherwise, as will secure a thorough and efficient system of common schools throughout the state.— Ohio Constitution, Article VI, Section 2
Every child deserves a complete, quality education — regardless of ZIP code.
The system must work — not waste millions on levy campaigns instead of classrooms.
Every community, every district, every child. Statewide equity.
Four rulings. 24 years. The people must act directly.
Can't be easily repealed. Lasting reform for generations.
Ohio's constitution gives citizens the power to amend it directly.
Massachusetts did it in 1980. It's worked for 40+ years. Ohio adapts it with a 3% cap.
It's time for Ohio Proposition 3.
Join the MovementA bipartisan effort uniting mayors, school board leaders, superintendents, legislators, and community leaders.
Mayor, City of Huber Heights
Coalition Co-Founder
Member of the Ohio Mayors Alliance and the OMA Education Advocacy Leadership Committee. Leading the charge to reform HB 920 after witnessing how the broken system devastated Huber Heights schools for over two decades.
President, Huber Heights City School Board
Coalition Co-Founder
As School Board President, Shannon has seen firsthand how HB 920 forces impossible choices between programs, staff, and students. She brings the education perspective to the coalition, ensuring reform serves the children and families who depend on public schools.
Growing Statewide
We are building a coalition of superintendents, mayors, school board members, legislators, teachers, parents, and community leaders. Your voice matters.
"Our community went 21 years without passing a levy. Twenty-one years of cuts, lost teachers, and broken promises. Our last levy failed by 3 votes — not because our residents don't care, but because HB 920 forces them to choose between their wallets and their kids' futures every few years. Meanwhile, the politicians who built Ohio's voucher system sent their own children to private schools while the public schools in their own districts were suing the state for unconstitutional funding. I'm done waiting for Columbus. Proposition 3 is the people of Ohio doing what their leaders refused to do."Mayor Jeff Gore Mayor, City of Huber Heights • Coalition Co-Founder
"Reforming HB 920 is about restoring balance — protecting taxpayers from unexpected spikes while giving our schools a stable, predictable funding stream that keeps pace with inflation and the real cost of educating students."Shannon Weldon President, Huber Heights City School Board • Coalition Co-Founder
Whether you're a mayor, superintendent, teacher, parent, or concerned citizen — your voice matters.
Share this website with your community. Change starts with conversation.
Tell your state rep you support HB 920 reform. Bipartisan support is essential.
Community meetings are being organized across Ohio.
Constitutional amendments require resources. Every contribution helps.