Students advocate for a later school start time to improve health and grades.

Superintendent Cassie Davis said Tallmadge maintained strong overall results on the state report card but early literacy dropped to two stars after the state's tightened "test-promotion" reporting under House Bill 96, which reduced the district's reported third-grade promotion rate from 99.4% to 62.4%.

State Representative Derek Hall and district leaders said changes to the state's funding approach and expansion of voucher spending reduced the state share of school funding; Rep. Hall urged residents to contact education committee members and consider candidates' positions before November.

Board vice president Chad Davis and other officials described why the district moved from a failed property levy to a 1% earned income tax: demographic turnout in prior elections, faster revenue sustainability over time, and the need to replace an unexpected $1M cut in state funding.

District leaders told residents that 14 teacher positions, three administrators and one maintenance role were eliminated over the last two years and about a dozen bus drivers were affected; they warned that an additional $1.6M shortfall next year would likely mean about 25 more positions cut and deeper impacts to math, science and electives.

Treasurer Dustin Boswell told residents the district’s cash reserves have fallen from about $5.6M (FY23) to roughly $1.1M and projected a nearly $1M operating gap this year and a cumulative negative $10.5M by FY31 if current trends continue; he cited a sudden drop in state funding as the proximate cause.

The Tallmadge Board of Education approved prior minutes, authorized a transitional consultant, adopted June financials, approved a 1% earned-income tax resolution for the ballot, accepted a special-education services contract and approved consolidated personnel items.

Central-office staff told the Tallmadge board that the district ended FY26 with about $1.2 million in the general fund, is down roughly eight teachers from last year, and faces significant transportation changes that may affect families' ability to get students to school.

The Tallmadge Board of Education voted July 15 to submit a proposed 1% earned-income tax to district voters, a measure board leaders say would shift part of the school funding burden from property owners to workers and help stabilize revenue amid tight finances.

The board accepted multiple personnel actions including retirements, approved several new teachers and intervention specialists, and recorded elimination of eight teaching positions for 2026–27; public commenters raised concerns about lost upper-level science courses and social media policy.

The Tallmadge City Board of Education approved hiring Dustin Boswell as treasurer effective Aug. 1, 2026 through July 31, 2029 after a national search; Boswell introduced himself and said he looks forward to the role while the board authorized the president to execute the contract and allowed transitional paid days.

After voters rejected a 5.6‑mill operating levy on May 20 (about 54% no to 46% yes), district leaders told the board they must cut roughly $1.6–$1.7 million now and aim for about $2 million in savings; planned steps include eight teaching reductions, elimination of most high‑school busing and higher pay‑to‑play fees.

At a Tallmadge City forum, Treasurer Jeff Hottstetler said state and local rules have left the district with shrinking state aid and capped local growth, projecting more than $2 million in lost funding by the end of the fair‑funding phase‑in. State representatives offered differing explanations of budget choices, while board members detailed past cuts and potential service reductions if a proposed permanent 5.6‑mill levy fails.

Treasurer Jeff Hostetler told a district video audience the combination of rising staffing costs, a recent property reappraisal and state funding rules (House Bill 920 and a multi‑year funding phase‑in) have reduced Tallmadge City Schools' state aid by about $1.7 million this year and could reach $2 million next year, prompting a May general-fund levy request.

The Tallmadge City Board of Education voted to ask the state tax commissioner to calculate how much revenue the district could raise under earned-income or property-tax options as it considers a May 2026 levy to close an estimated multimillion-dollar budget gap. Administration warned cuts —including major reductions to busing—if new revenue is not approved.

Students express gratitude for Esther Layton's dedicated support during their time in school

Students present innovative projects inspired by Designing the Future booklet at Tallmadge meeting

Talmadge Schools announces retirements and praises new teachers' performance and contract renewals.

Tallmadge honors 94 graduates heading to military, careers, and colleges including Kent State.

Proposed schedule changes aim to improve student sleep and reduce drowsiness-related incidents.