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Thursday, November 5, 2026

CPS levy passes, but cuts loom where other school levies failed

Plus, the Bengals land in Madrid and the Reds hire a new pitching coach.

The 5AM Cincinnati team2 stories16 sources5 min read

SchoolsTop story

Cincinnati Public Schools voters pass a levy, the district's first new money in 10 years

About 61% of voters backed the CPS levy

Source: WCPO 9 Cincinnati

View as table
AmountShare
Yes61%61%
No39%39%

If you live in the Cincinnati Public Schools district, a new property tax is coming. Voters approved the levy about 61% to 39%, and WKRC says it's the district's first new money in 10 years. FOX19 says it passed by 26,500 votes.

“This new money does not mean that we will restore the things that have been cut over the last three years. This does provide an opportunity to do greater things, things differently.”

Superintendent Shauna Murphy

The district still faces a projected $58.6 million budget deficit, and leaders said the levy won't solve all its financial challenges. School funding could also look different under Governor-elect Amy Acton, who has been outspoken about backing Ohio's .

  • Term: five years, 7 mills
  • Statewide passage: property tax levies 56%, income tax levies 13%
  • Fiscal status: CPS is in

The CPS levy is expected to bring in $66.33 million a year

$66.33 million
expected each year from the levy
$58.6 million
projected CPS budget deficit
$245
a year for every $100,000 of market value

Schools

Millions in cuts loom in districts where school levies failed

If you have kids in North College Hill, Fairfield, Lebanon or Northwest schools, cuts are coming. Those districts anticipate staff cuts, and voters turned down North College Hill's and Northwest's measures Tuesday. North College Hill's income tax failed by 175 votes.

Four districts have named their planned cuts

DistrictPlanned cuts
North College Hill13 teachers, 2 paraprofessionals
Fairfield32 art, music and PE teaching jobs
Lebanon100 staff members
NorthwestAbout $7 million from 2027-28 budget

Sources: WVXU, WKRC

Northwest's superintendent said the district must cut about $7 million from its 2027-2028 budget after voters turned down a 1.5% earned income tax. In Winton Woods, where a 6.95-mill property tax levy failed, the district will suspend school-funded field trips starting Dec. 1.

  • North College Hill: $200 to $400 pay-to-play fee per sport
  • North College Hill: plans to eliminate softball and baseball
  • Fairfield and Northwest: pay-to-play fees up to $800 for one sport

Cuts start as soon as Dec. 1 and run into 2027-⁠28

  1. Dec. 1Winton Woods will suspend school-funded field trips and field trip transportation.
  2. Jan. 2027Winton Woods tutoring and enrichment programs are expected to be suspended.
  3. 2027-28Northwest must cut about $7 million from its budget.

Sources: WVXU, WKRC

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News Notes · More

Bengals

If you're up early Sunday, the Bengals face the Falcons at Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, with kickoff at 9:30 a.m. Eastern on WLWT. Pregame coverage starts at 5 a.m. The team touched down Wednesday, and Joe Burrow turned heads with his travel attire before the overnight flight. It's the Bengals' first overseas game since 2019 and the third in franchise history. WLWTFOX19

Reds

The Reds named Joe Torres their pitching coach Wednesday, bringing him over from Cleveland, where he spent five seasons as assistant pitching coach. He reunites with manager Terry Francona and replaces Derek Johnson, who was not retained. Cleveland finished in MLB's top 10 in ERA in each of Torres' five seasons on staff. WLWTWKBN.com

Higgins

Tee Higgins is the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, his first career honor, after 10 catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns in the 43-36 overtime win over Tennessee. His 155 yards led all NFL players in Week 8. He has 726 receiving yards this season, second only to Seattle's Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Cincinnati EnquirerWHIO TV

155receiving yards for Tee Higgins in Week 8, the most of any NFL player

Higgins caught 10 passes and two touchdowns in the Bengals' 43-36 overtime win over Tennessee.

I-275

If you drive westbound I-275 in Kenton and Campbell counties, the first phase of bridge work starts at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, and ends at 3 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9. Crews will close a single right lane and two ramps over two weekends in November. WKRC

OTR

The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. completed its purchase of the former St. Francis Seraph Church campus in Over-the-Rhine for $5.1 million, according to Hamilton County auditor records. The Oct. 20 deal covers seven parcels, including the church and friary at 1615 Vine St. WKRC

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Read

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It's completely free, takes five minutes to read, and is devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight. Subscribe to 1440 today. Advertising from 1440 Media.

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The Wrap

Cincinnati's holiday season gets an early start Friday, Nov. 6, at the Christkindlmarkt at Germania Society, the Cincinnati region's oldest and most authentic German Christmas market. It runs from 5 to 10 p.m., and Friday's forecast high is 51, so bring a warm layer. Prost to that.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Cincinnati voters pass the CPS levy and the children's services levy

Read yesterday’s edition

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  3. WKRClocal12.com
  4. FOX19fox19.com
  5. Cincinnati Enquirercincinnati.com
  6. WVXUwvxu.org
  7. WKRClocal12.com
  8. WLWTwlwt.com
  9. FOX19fox19.com
  10. WLWTwlwt.com
  11. WKBN.comwkbn.com
  12. Cincinnati Enquirercincinnati.com
  13. WHIO TVwhio.com
  14. WKRClocal12.com
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5AM Cincinnatito me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

CPS levy passes, but cuts loom where other school levies failed

Plus, the Bengals land in Madrid and the Reds hire a new pitching coach.

The TLDR

  1. CPS levy passes, bringing the district its first new money in 10 years
  2. Cuts loom in districts where school levies failed
  3. Bengals face the Falcons in Madrid at 9:30 a.m. Sunday
Read this edition

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