Parma Schools Offer to Eliminate Property Taxes, But Only If Voters Approve Income Tax

The district says it will cut $9 million over 3 years if the 1.75% income tax is approved

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:05am

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A serene, nostalgic painting of a lone school bus parked on a quiet suburban street, the vehicle's yellow body and windows reflecting the warm, angled sunlight of the scene.The Parma City School District's proposal to replace property taxes with an income tax highlights the financial challenges facing many local school systems.Parma Today

For the first time in Parma City School District history, the board is offering to eliminate three property tax levies, but only if voters say yes to a 1.75% earned income tax. The income tax would begin collection in January 2027, while the property tax levies would cease in January 2028. The district says it will make $9 million in reductions over 3 years if the income tax is approved.

Why it matters

Parma City Schools last passed a new-money operating levy in 2011, and the most recent attempt at a levy failed in November 2025. The district says it needs to shift away from relying on property taxes due to lack of state funding support, and an income tax would provide more sustainable revenue as incomes grow over time.

The details

The earned income tax would only apply to wages, salaries, and self-employment income. The average $100,000 district homeowner would annually save $500 in property taxes with the elimination of these levies. However, the district estimates the income tax would collect $50.3 million, a net increase of $9.8 million over the $40.5 million the three property levies currently bring in.

  • The income tax would begin collection in January 2027.
  • The property tax levies would cease in January 2028.

The players

Parma City Schools

The public school district serving the city of Parma, Ohio.

Scott Hunt

Superintendent of Parma City Schools.

Jeff Uzl

A 30-year resident of Parma who plans to vote against the income tax proposal.

Leonard Jeffko

A Parma resident who plans to vote against the income tax proposal due to a lack of transparency from the district.

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What they’re saying

“What we're attempting to do is shift our reliance on property tax to generate revenue for us and pivot to this earned income tax. This is a different request.”

— Scott Hunt, Superintendent, Parma City Schools

“I've been here long enough to see plenty of levies. I've supported some and not supported others. I'm a hard no on this one. It's an income tax, and we're already paying a pretty good chunk of money into our income tax system for the city, and then just to add another 1.75% — it's a lot to ask for.”

— Jeff Uzl, 30-year Parma resident

“Levies can be good things, necessary things, but they push it with little real information. They're not really showing any plans to make things better for the students, to make education actually better.”

— Leonard Jeffko, Parma resident

What’s next

There will be an informational meeting on this income tax levy proposal on April 28 at 6 p.m. at Valley Forge High School. If this levy doesn't pass in May, the district says it will try again in November.

The takeaway

This proposal highlights the difficult financial challenges facing school districts like Parma that are heavily reliant on property taxes, with limited state funding support. The district is hoping an income tax can provide more sustainable revenue, but faces skepticism from some residents who want more transparency on spending and priorities.