The Westerville school board voted unanimously Monday night to place a 0.75% earned income tax levy on the November ballot.
The school district says the tax would generate $24.3 million a year to preserve staffing levels, class sizes and student academic programming.
The tax would be applied only on earned income such as wages and salaries. It would not apply to Social Security, retirement income dividends or interest.
Westerville City Schools' Superintendent Angie Hamberg said in a statement that the tax issue is essential to protecting educational excellence.
"Without new revenue, we cannot maintain the student programs, staffing and services our students need and deserve,” Hamberg said.
In November, voters rejected a 4.9-mill levy for operations and a bond issue that would have paid to renovate four schools and make other improvements.
After that, the district eliminated 33 teaching, administrative and support staff positions.
The district also made $4.8 million in operational cuts.
Westerville City Schools' Board President Kristy Meyer said in a statement that the income tax issue is needed to protect the district from more severe cuts.