Kenston Superintendent & Treasurer Warn That Property Tax Abolishment
Could Lead to Funding Cuts & Increased Sales/Income Taxes
Kenston Board of Education Regular Meeting – March 16, 2026
Meeting Details: The Kenston Board of Education (BOE) Regular Meeting took place on March 16, 2026 at 6:00 pm in the KHS Auburn Bainbridge Room. The meeting is live-streamed and the video is posted on the Kenston Website page here and on Kenston’s YouTube page here. Notations in the report refer to the minute notation on the video for a particular section. View agendas and any attached documents here by selecting the meeting tab, the meeting date, and the agenda.
9:06 Min Video Opening at 6:00 pm.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ben Taras, TES 2nd Grade student, and Board Member Jim Henry.
10:05Min Welcome and Roll Call: This meeting is being held in accordance with Section 3313.15 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Board Attendance: President Tom Manning, Vice President Beth Krause, and members Jim Henry, Girtha Smith, and Benjamin Timmons.
Staff in Attendance: Superintendent Dr. Bruce R. Willingham, Treasurer Seth Cales, KHS Principal Tom Gabram, KHS English teacher Anthony Marchesi, KHS Athletic Director Reid Guarnieri, Technology Department Director John Molnar, and Nutrition Services Director Andrew Mendez.
10:57 Min The Kenston Board of Education approved that the reading of the minutes be waived, and approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 9, 2026 here, and the Special meeting of February 26, 2026 here, as recorded or corrected. Mr. Manning noted that the February 26, 2026 meeting was a Board retreat and was held at the Auburn Career Center where they were given a tour
11:49 Min Commendations
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Kenston Board of Education approved the following commendations:
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Anthony Marchesi, KHS English Teacher and Advisor for the KHS literary magazine, Janus, for being honored with a rank of "Superior" in the 2025 National College of Teachers of English Program's REALM Award (Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines).
20:48 Min Informational Items
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Birthday Book: A Walk in The Words by Hudson Talbott was presented to Dr. Krause, who will then donate the book to the Timmons Library after she reads it.
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22:13 Min Kenston Building or Department Update:
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Athletic Department - Reid Guarnieri, KHS Athletic Director, used a slide presentation to give an update on school sports.
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34:13 Min- Technology Department - John Molnar, Technology Department Director, used a slide presentation to share some of this year’s goals for district technology.
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38:43 Min Nutrition Services Department - Andrew Mendez, Nutrition Services Director, used a slide presentation to give an update on Nutrition services.
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Kenston Cooks
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Eat the Rainbow Week
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44:55 Min Legislative Update - Dr. Krause briefly noted several House Bills to watch:
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HB 455 - This bill makes a number of changes to modernize and update the state’s education code and reduce the administrative burden for teachers. This one has passed the house and currently sits in the Senate Education Committee..
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HB 326 - This bill seeks to expand the type of college entrance exams that would be accepted by Ohio Universities and Colleges.
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HB 671 - This bill would withhold state funding from school districts that sue the state over foundational funding. Dr. Krause advised that this bill is likely to “go away” or lose traction as it has already encountered constitutional issues.
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HB 661 - This bill would prohibit middle and high school students from earning compensation for their name, image or likeness (NIL). Dr. Krause advised that this bill is likely to move along.
47:07 Min Superintendent’s Report with an accompanying slide presentation.
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Kindergarten registration is now online and is open. Visit www.kenstonlocal.org and click on Kindergarten Registration & Resource Center, which is right on the top bar.
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Dr. Willingham highlighted the issues surrounding property tax reform and the proposal to create a constitutional amendment that would completely eliminate property taxes. Dr. Willingham advised that, while property tax reform is needed, the proposal to eliminate property taxes completely would be shortsighted, causing a $20 billion dollar funding cut to local communities with no plan in place to replace these funds. He thanked the League of Women Voters of Geauga (LWVG) and the Geauga County leadership who have worked in partnership to educate residents about the consequences of eliminating property taxes without a replacement plan. Dr. Willingham shared some examples of what the community’s property taxes support to a great extent, such as the Police, Fire, and Emergency services. Most of a resident’s property taxes, around 60% per Dr. Willingham, supports local schools. Dr. Willingham advised that, while townships cannot levy an income tax, school districts can and in the near future, Mr. Cales will be sharing what that income tax would look like if property taxes were eliminated. Dr. Willingham advised that his group will continue to “beat the drum” to advocate for the schools and to educate the community about what property tax abolishment would mean versus appropriate property tax reform. Reviewer Note: The last in a series of three educational programs about property taxes will be held on April 7th at 7 pm at the Middlefield Library. More information is available here. The program is free, but registration is required.
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Kenston Conversations with Dr. Willingham will be held on April 22, 2026 from 9-10am and 6-7pm at the Gardner Center Conference Room.
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Spring Break is March 23-27, 2026. Also, no school on Friday, April 3, 2026. Note that school will be in session on Easter Monday, April 6th..
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The KHS Spring Musical: Chicago: The Musical, Teen Edition will be performed at the KHS Auditorium on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7pm and Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 2pm and 7pm.
56:35 Min Treasurer’s Report -
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Mr. Cales advised that the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Accuracy (website here) put out a quote from The Ohio Society of CPAs. The quote stated that if the revenue loss by the elimination of the property tax were to be made up by an increase in the sales tax, the sales tax would likely go from 5.75% to 15-18%. If the revenue were to be made up by an increase in the income tax, that tax would go from approximately 2.75% to 11-15%.
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Threshold Costs- Mr. Cales explained that, while 76% of the district’s funds are provided through residential taxes, they are currently working with a state reimbursement program of special funds designed to help districts manage/offset exceptionally high special education costs that exceed the state’s defined funding threshold.
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Budgets- Mr. Cales also stated that they are currently working with key stakeholders to establish budgets in order to plan ahead for Fiscal Year 2027. Stakeholders include all principals and directors of departments such as Food Service, Information Technology, Transportation, etc.
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Mr. Cales stated that Kenston had recently completed its tax budget hearing with good reviews but advised that the school district will likely need an operating levy in a couple of years. Reviewer Note: The LWVG Observer Report on Kenston’s Budget Hearing is available here.
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Appropriations- Mr. Cales explained that the tax budget then allows the district to get temporary appropriations approved through the Board of Education to spend the budget’s funds for the specific purposes outlined in the budget.
1:02.00 Min Hearing of the Public on Agenda Items - There were no speaker cards.
1:02.10 Min Agenda approval items 9-18 - As the Board President announced at the beginning of the meeting, these items were reviewed by Board members before the meeting, and most were passed quickly and without discussion.
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Financial Items - All items and accompanying documents can be found here by selecting the meeting tab, meeting date, and 9.1-9.9 on the agenda. All Approved. Items to highlight include but are NOT limited to:
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Certified Personnel Items - These items and accompanying documents are available here for review by selecting the meeting tab, meeting date, and 10.1-10.3 on the agenda. All Approved.
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Classified Personnel Items - These items and accompanying documents are available here by selecting the meeting tab, meeting date, and 11.1-11.3 on the agenda. All Approved.
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Supplemental Personnel Items - These items and accompanying documents are available here by selecting the meeting tab, meeting date, and 12.1-12.4 on the agenda. 12.1 and 12.3 were voted on separately from 12.2. All Approved.
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Exempt Personnel Items - No items.
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Business Operations - These items and accompanying documents are available here by selecting the meeting tab, meeting date, and 14.1 on the agenda. All Approved.
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Teaching and Learning Items - These items and accompanying documents are available here by selecting the meeting tab, meeting date, and 15.1-15.5 on the agenda. All Approved.
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Special Education Items - These items and accompanying documents are available here by selecting the meeting tab, meeting date, and 16.1-16.3 on the agenda. All Approved.
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Old Business- No items.
1:08.4 Min Hearing of The Public on Non-Agenda Items -
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A parent of former Kenston students came to advise the Board that they have done well and that he thinks that they can do better. He said he has 46 years of classroom experience in secondary education. He believes that there is a divide between teachers and the administration, and he spoke to recommend something that will “introduce a private school mentality inside a public school.” He suggested a tool that he advised has been proven and effective for 60 years. He also referred to a learning center, saying there are 30,000 of them in 50 countries working with 5 million students. This gentleman said that he used to own one of the mentioned centers, but no longer does. He advises the Board that if they are interested in this, he can help them pursue it as he has the information. Observer Note: The gentleman never actually identifies by name the tool or learning center that he was speaking of during his time at the podium.
1:13.19 Min A motion to enter into Executive Session was made and approved at 7:05pm and the video concluded shortly thereafter.
Under Ohio Law, the Board may hold Executive Sessions to discuss preparing for, conducting or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with employees or matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or state statutes, and details of security arrangements. Executive Sessions are used for discussion only, no board action can be voted on in Executive Session. Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22 defines the Sunshine Law and matters for Executive Session.
President Tom Manning advised that no action will be taken after executive session and the Board will reconvene only to adjourn.
Next regular meeting: Monday, April 20, 2026 at 6:00 pm.
More information here: Board of Education | Kenston Local Schools
Virtual Observer: Jacqueline Berger
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Date Submitted: March 23, 2026
The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.