As we approach the upcoming levy, we know our community has important questions. To help provide clear and accurate information, we’ll be sharing a “Question of the Week”. Each week, we’ll highlight one common question and provide straightforward answers so that families, staff, and community members can stay informed and engaged throughout this process.
September 8th, 2025
Q: Did you know that Chillicothe City School District is placing an emergency levy on the November Ballot?
A: After careful consideration, The Chillicothe City School Board of Education has voted and approved to place an emergency levy on the November 4th Ballot. As we plan for the future, we face rising costs that exceed the state funding we receive to support our students. Ohio Law does not automatically increase funding for schools to match inflation or growth, which means local communities must make decisions about how to sustain and strengthen their schools.
September 15th, 2025
Q: How much will the levy cost me?
A: The proposed millage would generate $2.74 million, which is the same amount approved in 2013. You can use the Levy Cost Calculator on our Levy FAQ page to determine the approximate cost to you.
September 22nd, 2025
Q: Why do CCSD students require additional support services that cost the district increased funding?
A: As many adolescents and teenagers have been experiencing increased depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, so have the students attending the CCSD. Daily attendance for all students is crucial to their ability to achieve at least a year's growth in achievement year-over-year.
Post-pandemic students attending CCSD are experiencing a mental health crisis at an alarming rate. The district provides additional support in the form of licensed clinical mental health counselors, licensed social workers, and behavioral health specialists. There are approximately 2,700 students in the district, and more than a third of our students benefit from the services mentioned above, so they can stay in school and perform. Without these services, our students experience behaviors and mental health crises that make it nearly impossible for them to learn while they are in school. Making these services available allows us to continue to meet the needs of our students that they may not otherwise get, thus allowing them to remain in school.
September 29th, 2025
Q: What steps has the district taken to address the declining funds to support the budget?
A: After the state and federal funding for educating students during the pandemic ended in 2024, the district took the following steps to reduce expenses by over $2.5 million.
1. The district eliminated its online schooling option that provided instructional support.
2. Significantly reduced staffing through attrition, which resulted in a reduction of teachers, administrators, secretaries, paraprofessionals, literacy coaches, and reading specialists.
3. Reduced education contracts with alternative schools for our most challenging students who were placed out of the district and returned them to our buildings.
4. Redistributed contract services to existing administrators and personnel, such as chronic attendance tracking and hearings, data analytics, and staff evaluations.
5. Reduced supplies and material funding for classrooms.
6. Reduced spending on capital improvements that weren't a necessity this school year.
The district continues to evaluate all expenses, and the necessity to fill jobs that are vacated due to a resignation or retirement throughout this school year.
October 6th, 2025
Q: What is at stake if the levy does not pass?
A: Effective for the 2026-2027 school year
All Pre-K - 12 teaching positions will be further reduced
Reduction in District and Building Administration
K-12 Unified Arts - music, art, and theater programs, will be reduced
High school electives will be minimized
Preschool and high school bus routes will be eliminated
Kindergarten - 8
th
grade bus routes will be reevaluated
Athletics will be evaluated for pay-to-play, reduction or eliminated
Specialized support staff - social workers, counselors, literacy coaches, and behavior specialists, will be reduced or eliminated
An increase in 7-12 class sizes
Reductions to safety and security personnel
Paraprofessionals that support student learning will be reduced
October 10th, 2025
Q: What will athletics and extracurricular activities look like if the levy fails?
A: If the levy fails, our students will lose more than classes—they will lose opportunities to stay connected to their peers, develop leadership skills, and have a reason to achieve academic goals.
If the levy fails in November, these vital programs may begin to be eliminated or reduced as early as January. Without funding, the cost to sustain coaches, transportation, equipment, and facilities will be unmanageable. The district is facing a $3 million reduction, and academics will be the priority when allocating limited resources.
The district wants to support all of our students who pursue their passions outside the classroom. Many times, athletics and other extracurricular activities are what keep students from making decisions that could have long-lasting negative impacts on themselves and the community. The district is proud to offer many opportunities for students to showcase their talents and explore new interests.
For the betterment of our community and the teenagers of Chillicothe, the district is seeking your support to maintain what is currently available. Students with a purpose and a sense of belonging will have a positive impact on our community.
October 15th, 2025
Q: Why does the district employ social workers and behavioral specialists? What do they do?
A: The district hired two social workers and two behavior specialists upon our students’ return to school after the pandemic. We found that our students required targeted skill training to manage their emotions, conflict, fear, anxiety, and anger. The lack of skills in these areas of executive functioning interferes with learning, maintaining friendships, staying in school, responding appropriately to authority figures, following directions, and avoiding harm to others.
If you would like more information about the services these professionals provide, please call the district office at 740-775-4250.
October 17th, 2025
Q: Who paid for the football turf and the fireworks?
A: The turf on the football field was fully funded by the Touchdown Club in 2023. The fireworks were fully funded by the following business partners:
Arrow Construction
Walters Construction
Porter’s Car Bar
Rutherford Law Office
Chillicothe Football Booster Club
Printex
We are grateful to all the supporters of our student-athletes!
October 20th, 2025
Q: What does passing the Levy in November do for my child's education next school year?
A: Passing the levy will allow the district to maintain the same level of education and support currently being provided. We will continue to offer STEM education, gifted programs, music, art, and behavioral health services, along with our core academics. Our students will also continue participating in athletics, music, theater, and arts programs, just as they do today. The district will continue to monitor expenses and remain cautious about additional spending.
October 27th, 2025
Q: Why do some CCSD students attend school outside of the district?
A: The district offers many on-campus programs for students who are unable to be successful in the general school setting. On occasion, a student may have social-emotional challenges that require a more specialized environment to make academic progress and maintain cooperation.
The settings we access for students with the most challenging needs are specific to autism and severe conduct disorders. For CCSD to refer a student to a specialized program, a team of school staff members and the student’s parent carefully review the situation to determine what level of additional support is needed and identify the best course of action.
Some situations warrant an educational placement, at a per-diem rate, which can be costly. These programs are typically highly specialized in addressing social-emotional deficits that impact the learning of students or their peers. The district closely monitors students’ progress and develops a transition plan for their return to their home school. The district averages around five out-of-district placements per year.
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If you have additional questions, please contact the District Office at (740)775-4250.
For a chance for your question to be featured as "Question of the Week", please email Superintendent Deborah Swinehart at deborah.swinehart@ccsd.us, or Treasurer Nicholas Overly at nick.overly@ccsd.us.
Note: Not all submitted questions will be featured as the "Question of the Week." All questions will be answered, whether they are featured or not, but responses may take longer than the typical 24-hour period. We appreciate your patience!
*This article is updated weekly*
Levy FAQ Page: https://www.ccsd.us/o/ccs/page/levy-faq