Mansfield City Schools asks voters to approve combined property, income tax

Mansfield City Schools is trying a different approach with its tax issue on the Nov. 5 ballot.

District officials are asking voters to approve a combination of a property tax and an earned income tax. The idea is to spread the cost more evenly throughout the community.

More: Need a ride to vote early? Richland County Transit can help

The 5-year, 5.6-mill property tax would generate $3 million a year, while the 1% income tax is expected to bring in $4.8 million.

Dawn Kitchen and Teana Sykes are the co-chairs of the levy campaign. They previously served on a committee to save Springmill STEM. Both call themselves "proud Tyger" moms. Sykes also is an alumna.

Sykes and Kitchen were recruited by Superintendent Stan Jefferson.

"He thought by bringing us back together we might have some magic, and I'm hopeful that we will and that on Nov. 5, before we go to bed, we will find that lightning struck twice," Sykes said.

Kitchen added, "He said to me that nobody loves Mansfield City Schools like you two, and that's very true. We believe in this cause."

According to information provided by the co-chairs, the school district faces a significant funding shortage because of increasing operating costs, state mandates and the growing needs of students.

Mansfield City School last asked for "new" money in 2013.

More: Richland County voters are being asked to decide fate of several property taxes this year

MCS has closed two schools and an academy to cut costs

The district has taken steps to reduce costs, including closing Prospect and Woodland elementary schools and Tyger Digital Academy .

In addition, school and department budgets were reduced by $1.2 million. A reduction in administrative costs included workforce reduction and no cost-of-living wage increase.

Still, in fiscal year 2024, the district paid $3.6 million more in expenses than the revenue it received.

"It can't be overstated how big an issue this is for the community," Sykes said.

If the issues passes, the district will be able to eliminate deficit spending, cover the increasing costs of day-to-day operations, avoid cuts in staffing and courses and maintain and care for all buildings, facilities, grounds and transportation fleet.

Mansfield City Schools is paying more than it did before in some areas. For example, the cost of a school bus in 2012 was $73,000. That cost increased to $117,000 in 2024.

If the issue doesn't pass, budget reductions could include transportation as well as cuts to staff and extracurricular activities.

"We can't cut any more without it starting to impact what kind of quality we give to the students and the community, so we need your help," Kitchen said.

The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $197.40 a year, while someone making $50,000 in earned income would pay $500.04.

The levy will be based on a property's appraised value, which is often much less, Kitchen said. Residents can find out what they would pay by going to www.tygersoftomorrow.com .

"A property tax leaves a subset of folks out of the equation," Sykes said of the approach. "At the same time, we realize the makeup of Mansfield is not only working folks but a great deal of retirees. We wanted to make it a thoughtful approach."

Earned income includes pay, tips, other employee compensation

Earned income is money people receive from wages, salaries, tips and other employee compensation.

Retirement income, unemployment compensation and workers' compensation are among those monies that are not earned income and would not be affected.

The ballot issue will affect Mansfield students who use open enrollment to attend other schools because MCS is responsible for transporting those students.

"We provide transportation for nine different schools," Sykes said.

Sykes also pointed out that when schools thrive, so do the communities.

Kitchen added that many people don't realize what the district has to offer.

"You kind of take your school for granted when it's doing OK," she said. "We are doing beyond OK. We have everything from fine arts to football, from aquatics to AP courses."

The levy co-chairs say they have enjoyed working on the campaign. Yard signs have been popping up, while volunteers have handed out pins and bracelets at home football games.

They also have made presentations to local groups and have registered some people to vote. Voters can learn more when Mansfield Senior High hosts a candidates night from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22 in the auditorium.

"I believe that all children deserve to be supported," Sykes said. "Tyger until I die."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X: @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield City Schools asks voters to approve combined property, income tax