Question of the Week
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!

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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