June 6, 2025
By Rachel Scofield

On May 27, the Pickerington Local School District (PLSD) Board of Education approved two Resolutions of Necessity, launching the process to place an operating levy on the November 4 ballot. The resolutions requested that the Fairfield County Auditor certify the revenue that would be generated by two proposed millage rates: 8.0 mills and 9.21 mills.

The dual request gives the board flexibility as it evaluates how best to address a growing student population, structural budget deficits, and long-term staffing needs.

Why a levy is needed

According to PLSD Treasurer John Walsh, both levy options would maintain the district’s required 45-day cash reserve through fiscal year 2029, in accordance with board financial policy. However, the difference in funding would significantly affect staffing levels:

“The 9.21-mill levy would provide additional staffing through FY 2029—supporting 191.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions—compared to 104 FTEs with the 8.0-mill levy,” Walsh explained. “We have not modeled beyond FY 2029, but I would guess the days’ cash would fall below 45 days beginning in FY 2030.”

Walsh said the district has been operating at a deficit since fiscal year 2022 and has relied on spending down reserves to avoid cuts, but that strategy is not sustainable.

“We have been under ‘press pause’ since February 2025,” Walsh said. “We are evaluating every retirement or resignation to determine if a replacement is necessary. We are evaluating all new staffing based on student numbers and needs. A successful levy will provide resources to potentially end the ‘press pause.’”

Comparing the options

Based on current assessments, the Fairfield County Auditor calculated that an 8.0-mill levy would generate $16,973,886 per year for the district. For property owners, this equates to $280 in annual taxes for every $100,000 appraised value ($23.33 per month). According to Zillow, the average home value in Pickerington is $400,000, which would equate to $1,120 annually ($93.33 per month).

The Auditor’s Office also calculated that a 9.21-mill levy would generate $19,541,186 per year for the district, equating to $322 per $100,000 of appraised value. The owner of a $400,000 home would pay $1,288 per year.

Both ballot options would be continuing levies, meaning they would not expire.

“Going before the voters to ask for additional operating funds is never an easy ask. Nor is it something that the board of education takes lightly,” said Schoolboard Member Cathy Olshefski. “However, I think it is important to note that it has been over 14 years since we have asked the voters to pass an operating levy. In that time, we have witnessed increased student enrollment, increased staffing, increased costs, and increased unfunded legislative mandates. And these increases are not projected to slow down any time soon.”

PLSD expects enrollment to increase by more than 1,000 students between FY 2025 and FY 2029. Both levy options would help the district keep pace with that growth.

“Additionally, 2025 has brought about political rhetoric which would cut or reduce both state and federal funding,” Olshefski said. “Pickerington Schools is the backbone of this community. It is the 13th largest district in the State of Ohio. And it is a district to which other districts look for guidance and practice. We have always been a fiscally sound and transparent organization. There is no fluff. Every dime is spent on our students. Therefore, I am more than supportive of placing an operating levy on the November 4 ballot.”

The school board is not expected to vote on which levy to place on the ballot until June 23, which will be the earliest meeting where all members will be in attendance.

If approved, this would be the district’s first successful operating levy since 2011, when voters passed a 5.5-mill measure. Since then, PLSD has experienced continued population growth without additional local operating revenue.

In 2022, voters approved a 2.8-mill bond issue to build a junior high and expand both high schools. By law, those funds can only be used for construction costs. The work at Pickerington High School Central is expected to be completed on June 13, and the expansion of Pickerington High School North is scheduled to finish on July 16. Delays due to weather have pushed the anticipated completion date for the new junior high to sometime after the new year.