Nov 3 Ballot Information
On November 3, 2026, residents of the Triway Local School District will vote on a three-year 0.75% earned income tax.
This page explains what is on the ballot, what it would fund, and its impact on the district.
Triway’s Purple Promise is a commitment to give every Titan the opportunity to thrive, to responsibly manage community resources, and to remain transparent about what the district needs and how those dollars are used.
The Purple Promise means Triway is committed to providing clear, accurate information so every resident can make an informed decision.
If you have any questions, please email tlsquestions@triway.us.
What's On The Ballot?
The Triway Board of Education has placed a 0.75% earned income tax on the November 3, 2026, ballot.
If approved, the tax would take effect January 1, 2027 and would remain in place for three years.
Revenue would support the district's operating expenses.
What Income is Taxed?
This is an earned income tax.
The tax applies to:
- Employee compensation, such as wages, salaries and tips
- Self-employment income from sole proprietorships and partnerships
The tax does not apply to:
- Retirement income
- Interest
- Dividends and capital gains
- Unemployment benefits
The tax is owed by residents of the Triway Local School District based on where they live, not where they work. A resident who works outside the district still owes the tax; a non-resident who works inside the district does not.
For the state's official explanation of school district income taxes, see the Ohio Department of Taxation — School District Income Tax page.
What The Revenue Would Fund
The ballot issue is for the district's day-to-day operating costs. These include but are not limited to:
- Student programs
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Supplies and instructional materials
Why doesn't the new building cover this?
By law, operating funds and capital funds must remain separate and cannot be used interchangeably.
The consolidated campus was funded with capital improvement dollars that voters approved in November 2019, solely for the construction of the new building. Those dollars cannot legally be redirected to everyday expenses.
While the consolidated campus lowered long-term operating costs, the district still requires adequate operating funding to educate students each day.
What happens if the levy does not pass?
If the issue does not pass, the Board of Education would have to consider reductions it has worked to avoid, including:
- Reinstating pay-to-play fees for athletics and activities
- Significant changes to transportation
- Increased school fees
- Reductions to electives, including fine arts
- Elimination of some athletic programs
- Other reductions to student opportunities
How We Got Here
In 2019, with its community in mind, the Triway Board of Education made the decision to not ask voters to renew the 0.75% earned income tax, recognizing that it was no longer needed.
Since then, factors outside the district’s control, such as significantly reduced funding due to state legislation, declining enrollment, and the negative impact of the Rover Pipeline, have drastically changed Triway’s financial outlook.
1. State law changes reduced the district's existing fixed-sum levy
Ohio enacted a package of property tax reform bills introduced in December 2025 and effective March 2026. Four bills have directly affected Triway: HB 129, HB 186, HB 309 and HB 335.
Together, these bills limit nearly every source of natural revenue growth available to the district without a new voter-approved levy.
The most immediate effect on Triway: the district's current fixed-sum (emergency) levy has been reduced from $1.2 million to $700,000.
2. The Rover Pipeline raised the district's valuation without delivering the revenue
Some residents have heard that Triway has received money from the Rover Pipeline. That is true, however following an Ohio Supreme Court appeal lasting close to seven years, Triway received $2.9 million for tax year 2019. Rover has appealed subsequent tax years resulting in a total amount owed to Triway as of March 2026 equaling $22,695,237.29.
The pipeline does affect the district, but not in a positive way as most people would assume. The district’s total valuation rose from $284.1 million in tax year 2018 to $570.9 million in tax year 2025. Ohio’s school funding formula uses that higher valuation to calculate how much the state contributes. The result is that Triway’s state aid has consistently decreased due to the increased valuation.
3. Enrollment decline has reduced per-pupil funding
Ohio funds school districts largely on a per-pupil basis. When enrollment falls, state aid falls with it.
Triway has enrolled approximately 130 fewer students since the 2020-21 school year. Based on current projections, this translates to a $12,000 loss of state aid in fiscal year 2026 and a $98,000 loss in fiscal year 2027.
What The District Has Already Done
Before placing this issue on the ballot, the district took the following steps:
- Consolidated operations onto a single campus
- Reduced overhead costs across district operations
- Absorbed numerous administrative positions
- Eliminated more than 20 certified staff positions
- Reviewed every department for efficiencies
The district has been a careful steward of taxpayer dollars. Few remaining reductions are available that would not directly affect students.
What Would It Cost Me?
These figures are illustrative. Cost is determined by actual earned income.
If you are retired
Most retirement income is not subject to this tax. Retirement income, unemployment benefits, interest and dividends are all outside the earned income tax base.
A retired resident with no wages and no self-employment income would not be financially impacted by this earned income tax.
If you are retired but still work part-time, only the wages you earn would be taxed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s on the ballot?
On November 3, 2026 Triway residents will vote on a three-year 0.75% earned income tax. The tax applies only to earned income, such as wages and salaries. It does not apply to Social Security benefits, pensions, disability income or investment earnings.
What’s it for?
The ballot issue would support the district’s day-to-day operating expenses, including student programs, utilities, transportation, and supplies. By law, operating funds and capital funds must remain separate and cannot be used interchangeably. The new earned income tax would replace the district’s current fixed-sum levy, which no longer generates adequate funds.
What’s our commitment to you?
The Purple Promise means Triway is committed to providing clear, transparent information so every resident can make an informed decision. The new earned income tax on the November 3, 2026, ballot would be for three years. After three years, the community would have the opportunity to determine whether to renew. Community members are encouraged to attend Board of Education meetings, ask questions and visit the district website to learn more about the levy and district finances.
How did we get here?
Recently enacted legislative changes have reduced the district’s current fixed-sum levy from $1.2 million to $700,000. Additional legislative changes at the state level, enrollment decline, and the negative impact of Rover Pipeline have drastically changed the district’s financial forecast. These factors combined to create the perfect storm, forcing the district to seek new money, rather than renewing the fixed-sum levy.
What has the district already done?
The district has been a careful steward of taxpayer dollars. In 2019, Triway eliminated a 0.75% earned income tax because it was no longer needed. Since then, the district has consolidated into one campus, reduced overhead costs, absorbed numerous administrative positions and more than 20 certified staff positions. Every department has been reviewed for efficiencies. There are few remaining reductions that would not directly affect students.
What happens if the levy does not pass?
Without a new source of income, the board would have to consider options it has worked to avoid, including reinstating pay-to-play fees for athletics and activities, significant changes to transportation, increasing school fees, reducing electives such as fine arts, cutting some athletic programs, and reducing student opportunities. The district’s stated priority is always protecting programs for students, however few options remain.
Why does a district with a brand new building need more money?
While the consolidated campus lowered long-term operating costs, the building was paid for with capital improvement dollars that voters approved solely for construction of the new building. By law, those dollars cannot be used to cover everyday expenses, and the district still needs adequate funding to educate students each day.
What legislation changed school funding in Ohio?
Introduced in December 2025 and effective March 2026, Ohio enacted a package of property tax reform bills. The four bills most directly affecting school districts are HB 129, HB 186, HB 309, and HB 335. Together, these bills limit nearly every source of natural revenue growth available to school districts without a new voter-approved levy.
What about the Rover Pipeline?
Some residents have heard that Triway has received money from the Rover Pipeline. That is true, however following an Ohio Supreme Court appeal lasting close to seven years, Triway received $2.9 million for tax year 2019. Rover has appealed subsequent tax years resulting in a total amount owed to Triway as of March 2026 equaling $22,695,237.29.
The pipeline does affect the district, but not in a positive way as most people would assume. The district’s total valuation rose from $284.1 million in tax year 2018 to $570.9 million in tax year 2025. Ohio’s school funding formula uses that higher valuation to calculate how much the state contributes. The result is that Triway’s state aid has consistently decreased due to the increased valuation.
How does declining enrollment affect state aid?
Ohio funds districts largely on a per-pupil basis, so when enrollment falls, state aid falls with it. Triway has enrolled approximately 130 fewer students since 2020-21. Based on current projections, a $12,000 loss of state aid is expected in fiscal year 2026 and a $98,000 loss in fiscal year 2027.
Where can I get an answer to a question that isn't here?
Email tlsquestions@triway.us with any questions.