Dayton Schools Levy Trails by 593 Votes
Unofficial results show Dayton Public Schools' proposed property tax levy behind with ballots still to be reviewed.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Administration
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Dayton Public Schools' proposed additional 7-mill property tax levy trailed by 593 votes in unofficial results from Tuesday's election, with 19,542 votes against and 18,949 in favor. Outstanding ballots still need to be reviewed before the outcome is final.
Why it matters
The levy would have generated an estimated $14.6 million annually for the district serving Dayton, and the district says it will not make immediate cuts or close schools based on the initial results. Its next steps will shape how the district plans its budget going forward.
The unofficial count shows 19,542 votes against the 7-mill levy and 18,949 in favor. The levy was estimated to generate about $14.6 million a year, but the final outcome depends on ballots still being reviewed.
The players
Dayton Public Schools
The Dayton, Ohio public school district that placed the proposed property tax levy on the ballot to fund its operations.
Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
A regional business advocacy organization that urged voters to reject the levy before Election Day.
The details
Voters asked how the money would be used and whether the district could provide regular updates if the levy passed. Senior leaders plan to develop options for the community to consider, and the district will take proposals on a community tour in January and February.
Timeline
Tuesday: Levy election held with unofficial results showing a 593-vote deficit.
January and February 2027: Community tour presenting district options.
Seasonal Patterns
Dayton's levy trails alongside failed school levies in Miamisburg, Northridge, and Clark Shawnee, all decided in the same election. Together these results show a regional pattern of Ohio districts seeking new local tax revenue from voters.
Dayton residents should watch for the final certified result once remaining ballots are counted. The district's community tour in January and February will be the next chance to weigh in on how it plans to proceed without the levy.
The takeaway
Election results can shift as remaining ballots are counted, so residents should wait for the official outcome before drawing conclusions. Attending the district's community tour is a direct way to influence the options it considers next.
What happens next
Outstanding ballots still need to be reviewed, and the district plans a community tour in January and February 2027 to present options.
Further reading
Explore more on Administration for context on how school districts manage funding and budgets.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKEF.
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