SHARONVILLE, Ohio — The Princeton City School District will take a hiring freeze and may have to make other budget adjustments afterthe failure of the tax levy proposed on November 5.

The tax levy was passed in three different counties, including Hamilton, Clermont and Warren. This failed in all three cases.

“The failure to levy results in a $10.6 million revenue loss for 2025, making budget adjustments critical to maintaining a healthy financial outlook,” Treasurer Chris Poetter said.

The school announced several changes in a press release Tuesday:

• An immediate hiring freeze
• A reduction in professional development learning opportunities for educators and staff
• Transportation Changes: Beginning in January 2025, secondary activity buses for after-school programs will no longer operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Only field trips fully funded by grants will be considered.
• Summer building closures and delayed maintenance

School officials say more cuts may be necessary in the future. He will evaluate that based on staffing changes due to retirements, people leaving the district to take a position in another district and other cost reductions. He could consider a new tax levy in the 2025 election.
The district’s superintendent said it should have little impact on student learning.

“We deeply appreciate our community’s support for public education and understand concerns about rising costs,” said Superintendent G. Elgin Card. “The Board of Trustees and administrative team are committed to reducing expenses with minimal impact on student learning and preserving the Princeton Advantage.”

Over the past two years, 40 positions in Princeton City Schools have been eliminated, the school said.

To reduce costs, the school district has adopted strategies such as sharing teachers or other staff between buildings. Officials say this approach ensures that students in multiple locations can access specialized services, even if resources are limited.

This means that if a position becomes vacant, administrators can choose to have an existing teacher split their time between two schools.