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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Landlords of charter schools on the hook for property taxes | Columbus Dispatch Politics

Landlords of charter schools on the hook for property taxes | Columbus Dispatch Politics

Landlords of charter schools on the hook for property taxes

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2010 02:53 AM

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

andlords who rent commercial buildings to Ohio charter schools are not exempt from paying property taxes, the state Supreme Court ruled yesterday in a 7-0 vote.

"This is not just another hit for charters, this is a bomb," said Bill Sims, who heads the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools. He said the ruling could put many charter schools in "serious peril."

Many schools or their for-profit management companies across the state will owe years of back taxes, Sims said. Some will be unable to pay because they are prohibited from using their state financial aid to pay taxes.

The court's decision overturned a ruling by the state