BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — Local school officials are raising concerns about proposed Ohio House Bill 96 that would cap public school district cash reserves at 30% of their operating budgets and potentially provide property tax relief for residents.
Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Superintendent Brent Ripley is joining a growing chorus of education leaders across Ohio in speaking out against House Bill 96, a proposed law that would limit the amount of operating funds school districts can carry over from year to year.
Ripley and Bridgeport Schools Treasurer Eric Meininger urged the Belmont County Commissioners at a recent commission meeting to oppose the measure, citing significant operational and financial risks for public schools.
These school district officials are urging community members to contact their lawmakers—especially State Senator Brian Chavez (R) —to oppose the bill. They’ve also circulated a letter of support among school boards and local leaders.
The Belmont County Commissioners signed off on a letter Ripley proposed to oppose House Bill 96.
The bill, introduced earlier this year, aims to return surplus school funds above the 30% threshold back to taxpayers in the form of property tax relief. Supporters argue it will ease the tax burden on property owners. But school leaders across Belmont County, including those in Bridgeport, warn it would force districts to make unsound financial decisions and jeopardize long-term planning.
“We are told to be fiscally responsible, not to spend wastefully, and to plan for the future. This bill contradicts all of that,” Ripley said during the public commission meeting. “If we’re penalized for saving, then we’re being forced to waste taxpayer dollars.”
Bridgeport currently holds just over $5 million in reserve funds, which Meininger said reflect years of careful financial planning. Under House Bill 96, the district could be required to spend or redistribute nearly $2 million—something Meininger says could hurt payroll, limit grant opportunities, and reduce the district’s ability to respond to emergencies or pursue new initiatives.
Superintendent Ripley emphasized that districts often rely on reserve funds to bridge gaps in funding, especially since property tax revenue arrives late in the fiscal year. Without those reserves, schools could face operational shortfalls, including difficulties in making payroll.
In addition to financial concerns, Ripley criticized the bill as an overreach into local governance. “It undermines local control and the authority of elected school boards. Every board member brings a vision, and we work together to build that future. This kind of mandate cuts right through that.”
Officials are also calling on lawmakers to fully implement the Fair School Funding Plan, which they credit with helping schools retain staff and improve educational outcomes without placing additional burdens on taxpayers. Bridgeport, for example, has used the plan to renegotiate insurance and apply for multiple grants—measures that have improved financial efficiency without reducing services.
“Every school in Belmont County—Bridgeport, St. Clairsville, Barnesville, and others—is doing great work for kids,” Ripley said. “This bill could undermine all of that progress. We’re simply asking for support to continue being responsible stewards of public funds.”
Ripley represents The Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools (CORAS), a statewide professional development and advocacy organization composed of superintendents from 120 school districts and educational institutions across Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties.
From the shores of Lake Erie to the suburbs of Cincinnati, CORAS members span 39% of the state’s geographic footprint, according to the group’s website. The coalition, along with many other school districts from all regions of Ohio, strongly opposes HB 96.
