For Berkshire's Children
Berkshire Local Schools has placed
Issue 4 (0.5% earned income tax)
on the November 3rd, 2026 ballot.
"Berkshire is always asking for money."
But is that what history shows?
Berkshire’s last increase to its operating earned income tax was in 2007.
Since then, the district has experienced major changes in its revenue—including approximately $690,000 annually in lost open-enrollment revenue and approximately $500,000 annually from the 2024 nonrenewal of the Permanent Improvement levy.
Now, in 2026, Issue 4 proposes an additional 0.5% earned income tax, taking the total rate from 1% to 1.5% if approved.
The 2018 school construction bond was separate—it was restricted to debt payments, not day-to-day operations, and was refinanced in 2021.
Before deciding what, you think about Issue 4, take a look at the timeline.
The history matters.
