Message from the Brooklyn City Schools: Statement Regarding Cuyahoga County Property Tax Collection Error

The purpose of this correspondence is to inform you that Brooklyn taxpayers will experience a reduction in property taxes over the next several years to offset an overcollection recently discovered by Cuyahoga County. The overcollection resulted from what the County has characterized as a clerical error in calculating property tax rates following the 2024 countywide property reappraisal.

The Brooklyn City School District was recently notified by Cuyahoga County that the error specifically involved the calculation of tax rates for certain fixed-sum emergency levies. Following the increase in property values, the County failed to make the necessary downward adjustments to these tax rates before property taxes were billed in 2025. According to information provided by the County, this error resulted in the District collecting approximately $947,427 more than it was entitled to receive through these levies.

“We appreciate the County’s efforts to correct their error and ensure that the overcollected funds are returned to our Brooklyn taxpayers,” said Dr. Theodore Caleris, Superintendent of the Brooklyn City Schools.”  “While we are disappointed that this clerical error occurred, we value the transparency demonstrated throughout this process and are pleased that these funds will ultimately remain in the hands of our Brooklyn residents. The District will continue to work with the County to ensure this matter is appropriately resolved.” 

To reaffirm, this situation resulted from an error in the County’s tax rate calculation process, not from any action taken by the Brooklyn City School District. Under Ohio law, fixed-sum levy rates must be adjusted to ensure that the amount collected does not exceed the dollar amount authorized by voters. Although preliminary tax rates were calculated, the County failed to make the necessary adjustments after final property values were established and before property taxes were billed in 2025.

The District is working with Cuyahoga County officials to address the overcollection through reductions in the applicable fixed-sum emergency levy rates over the next several years. This process will allow the excess collections to be offset through lower future collections rather than through individual refund checks to taxpayers.

“We appreciate our residents’ patience as we work to resolve this issue with the county,” said Robert T. Shirhart, Treasurer/CFO, Brooklyn City Schools. "Brooklyn City Schools is working with the county to correct their clerical error, in order to ensure affected taxpayers experience the appropriate recouped property taxes over the next few years.”

The District is working with Cuyahoga County officials to address the overcollection through reductions in the applicable fixed-sum emergency levy rates over the next few years. This process will allow the excess collections to be offset through lower future collections rather than through individual refund checks to taxpayers.

“The tax calculation error was made at the county level and was not the result of any action or decision by the Brooklyn Board of Education. The trust of our residents and taxpayers is of the utmost importance to this Board, and we remain firmly committed to the transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility our community deserves,” said Kelli Krall, Brooklyn Board President, on behalf of the Brooklyn Board of Education.

The District remains committed to responsible financial stewardship, compliance with Ohio law, and open communication with our taxpayers. We appreciate our community’s continued support of Brooklyn City Schools and remain committed to ensuring that public funds are managed responsibly and in accordance with the law.