The easiest way to think about it is that Operating levies are for Instruction and Bond issues are for Buildings.
- Operating Levy = A ballot measure asking voters to agree to a property tax that seeks a certain millage rate (the taxation rate) that will generate funds either for a specific period of time or on a continuing basis. Operating levies generate money to pay a district’s operating costs, such as salaries, equipment, utilities, etc. Under Ohio's school funding system, emergency operating levies do not increase revenue for the school with inflation, requiring districts to return to voters with new requests. Local operating levies bridge the gap between state funding and the true costs of operating a school district. NOTE: BCSD does not anticipate needing a new Operating Levy to implement the Master Facilities Plan, but does have Operating Levies that will need to be renewed: An Emergency Operating Levy expires 12/2026 and a Substitute Emergency Levy expires 12/2028. Combined, these two Levies make up an estimated 25% of the district’s funding and will need to be renewed prior to their expiration dates.
- Bond = A ballot measure to fund buildings or major construction projects. It is like a mortgage for the schools, except instead of borrowing from a bank, the district finances the cost of long-term projects through the municipal bond market. When placed before voters, the school district is asking for the authority to sell bonds and then pay the principal and interest on those bonds using money collected from property taxes. Bond proceeds are used to purchase or construct new buildings, renovate and modernize existing buildings, add or upgrade infrastructure systems, and purchase additional equipment. Bonds are used to finance the projects because the payments to the investors are made over a period of years, thus spreading the costs of the projects over a long period of time which reduces the annual impact on property taxes.

Beavercreek City Schools

Beavercreek City Schools FAQs

What is the purpose of the bond issue?

Is this a district-wide capacity issue?

What is the current financial impact of the district's capacity challenges?

Why build a High School?

What is the bond amount, and what is the plan?

What is the cost and how will it appear on the ballot?

What is the difference between an operating levy and a bond?

If the bond passes, what is the construction timeline?

What if the Bond Issue doesn’t pass?

What is the financial impact if the Bond Issue does not pass in May?

Is district enrollment projected to increase?

We’ve had bigger graduating classes before - why is space an issue now?

Who is Cropper GIS and what data sources did they use to calculate our growth?

What are the school district boundaries? Do property owners outside of Beavercreek City or Beavercreek Township pay property taxes to BCSD?

Will the district need an additional Operating Levy when the High School is built?

What Operating Levies are coming?

Will the roads in the proposed area support a new high school building?

Will there be a dry hockey field at the new campus?

Is BCSD paying on any other bonds right now?

When rates go down, I can refinance my house. Can BCSD do the same for a Bond issue?

Is the district trying to get funds from other sources instead of asking taxpayers for money?

How can you be sure the cost of this project won’t exceed the amount being requested?

As more houses are built how will that affect the millage rate and the property tax owed?