Welcome

As Treasurer/CFO of Lebanon City Schools, I am honored to serve our students, families, and community by managing the district’s financial resources with integrity and care. My team and I are committed to ensuring that every financial decision we make aligns with our district’s values and helps build a Reflective, Respectful, and Responsible Community. Specifically, the Treasurer’s Office is dedicated to three core goals: fiscal responsibility, high-quality customer service, and open transparency.

Fiscal responsibility means we use taxpayer dollars wisely to maximize benefits for all students. Open transparency means we share clear, accessible financial information so our community understands how funds are collected and invested. High-quality customer service means we respond professionally, timely, communicate openly, and work collaboratively with staff, families, and community members.

I invite you to explore the financial reports, forecasts, and resources available on this page, and to reach out with any questions. Together, we can ensure Lebanon City Schools remains strong, sustainable, and focused on student success.

Karen Ervin
Treasurer/CFO
Lebanon City School District

Keeping You Informed About Our Finances

Ohio Public School Funding: Revenue

Currently, Ohio law permits public schools to be funded from three main sources: local, state, and federal supports. Each public school district has a slightly different balance from each of these sources.

Behind the Budget: General Fund Sources

Lebanon City Schools receives funding from three main sources: local, state, and federal supports.

Lebanon City Schools' all fund sources, actual data as of year-end June 30, 2025.

Where School District Revenue Comes From

Lebanon City School District receives the majority of its financial support from the local community.

Property Tax Comparison By County

Lebanon City School District’s primary source of revenue is local property tax collection.

Title 57 of the Ohio Revised Code establishes the system of property taxation in Ohio and sets the rules for how property taxes are levied and applied.

Ohio law authorizes each “taxing district” to collect up to 10 mills of unvoted property tax, also known as “inside millage.” A taxing district is a specific geographical area that can include the county, school district, municipality, and township. Each part of a taxing district receives a portion of property tax collection.

Where Do Your Property Taxes Go?

Lebanon City Schools collects 60 percent, Warren County Government and other entities collect the other 40 percent.

Who Pays for Local School District Support?

Lebanon City School District uses the collection from inside millage to help cover its day-to-day, general operating expenses. Additionally, the Lebanon community has approved the District to collect additional property tax (including a Permanent Improvement levy, a Bond levy, and a Substitute levy) in order to support its local population, needs, goals, and initiatives.

Funding Sources at a Glance

Educating students can cost a significant amount of money. Lebanon City School District does its best to use funds appropriately and responsibly.

Undertanding Taxes & Who They Support

Each governmental entity within the State of Ohio has a different set of revenue sources. Ohio Revised Code dictates how each type of taxation is used.

Behind the Budget: Other Local Revenues

Though the Lebanon City School District is primarily funded by local property taxes, some school programs also generate and rely on other local sources.

What do Student Fees typically cover?

Student fees cover class-specific materials not funded by the general budget, ensuring students have the tools they need for courses like science, art, and technology.

Behind the Budget: State Funding

Ohio’s Fair School Funding Plan was created in response to Ohio’s constitutional requirement to “provide and fund a thorough and efficient system of public education.” The plan sets guidelines for how State and local funds are shared so that all students have a fair opportunity to receive a quality education.

The funding formula is the primary source of State funding for Lebanon City School District. The formula considers:

Local Capacity - How much the local community can afford to help pay for school operations -This looks at the value of homes, businesses, and income in the district to decide how much the local area can contribute before the State adds more funding.
Base Costs - The basic amount it takes to educate each student - This covers things like teachers, classrooms, technology, and other everyday needs for running a school.
Student Needs - Extra help for students who need more support to learn - This includes additional funding for things like special education, English language learning, career-technical programs, and helping students from low-income families.

Continued state support is essential to maintaining the programs and services our students depend on.

Behind the Budget: Federal Funding

Federal funding does not provide as much funding for Lebanon City Schools as local and State sources. However, the services that these funds allow the District to provide are essential for certain targeted programs, including:

Title I – Support schools with high numbers of low-income students
Special Education Grants – Provides funding to help meet the additional needs of students with disabilities
Nutrition Programs – Provides funding for free and reduced-price school meals
Medicaid Reimbursements – Provides funding to support appropriate medical/social services for qualifying families