[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6259627,"mediaKeyId","3139809-af9ce7ac28983027da239b0f660a683d","parentId",3139809,"title","Parent asks board to review relationship with EF Tours for possible ethics, privacy concerns","audioSeconds",89,"startMs",3200000,"endMs",3289000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139809-af9ce7ac28983027da239b0f660a683d&start=3200&end=3289","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139809-af9ce7ac28983027da239b0f660a683d/thumbnail_3200000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259627/Ohio/Parent-asks-board-to-review-relationship-with-EF-Tours-for-possible-ethics-privacy-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259627-185924d33a2a163ff027f6b9b91de3a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153548&Signature=M53X8bc87V-UmZf4x4ep9bXqEUVZ2W~OUHMB6d4yBnwGgOci0dzG18w-k-SR4hFAtnJctmhXLhm1XfaCZ5vsCJlyifWXJgJNFtrIlooObYeRCmm35dKmZANlbFlotDViOg6oTURMOlTCIRZAZopYOTT3YSc7dwcnoAALy-GeyYU5ifHKl-Y0wFenHbjaroVDRSPXzSCUbF4li9lD2Eip7MxWHMiScGYP-Kpgx~RdeoQuciFjegzE~UJJ7ghey3BQM60Rprg--BMET8GHdbOo254SeQslGfq7SrgH~aAgcHVHYExAzSvEVekeWPKy96s6fvWtTHzpHBQEcwmd4ZVU3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Westerville City Regular School District, OH ","date","2025-04-28T20:51:50.34Z","article","During the public‑comment portion of the April board meeting, parent Tara Stockdale urged the board to examine the district’s working relationship with Education First Tours (doing business as EF Tours).

Stockdale, who identified herself as a parent, asked the board to review the district’s practices for possible conflicts of interest under Ohio ethics rules and for potential data‑privacy violations under federal, state and local laws and board policies. “I ask you to review the current practices for any potential data privacy violations and federal, state, and local laws and policies, including those policies of this board,” she said.

The board’s public‑comment rules (board policy 91.30) were read at the start of the meeting and the president noted that complaints about district personnel, programming or operations would be referred to the process set forth in that policy. The transcript shows Stockdale made a single public comment and no immediate board action or response followed; the record does not show any staff report, investigation or finding at the meeting itself.

What was requested: Stockdale asked the board to consider any long‑term ramifications if a review finds violations and to determine whether district resources were used to sell travel services. No specific contract language or outcome was cited during the public comment.

Next steps: The transcript records the public comment and the board’s procedural reference to policy 91.30. The comment will be part of the official minutes; any formal investigation or staff response would be a distinct agenda item or administrative follow‑up and was not recorded in this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 21, 2025 Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A Westerville parent asked the board to review contracts and practices with Education First (EF) Tours for potential conflicts of interest and data‑privacy issues during public comment at the April meeting.","taxTitle","Westerville City (Regular School District), School Districts, Ohio","taxId",14537,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6259633,"State auditor presents Award with Distinction; district honors student athletes and A+ staff",213,171000,384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139809-af9ce7ac28983027da239b0f660a683d&start=171&end=384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139809-af9ce7ac28983027da239b0f660a683d/thumbnail_171000.jpg","/articles/6259633/Ohio/State-auditor-presents-Award-with-Distinction-district-honors-student-athletes-and-A-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259633-8424a0d1eaec701a0d94ddb9cef185bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153548&Signature=ZjEMB57BWZQFSLu2Q-txUMyErnP6jmGjt0O5GAd89EFZ79ZcZEraAqrOH1TOwadpzecIoWZ9FBp5y4I82M9yCdLMy~i-41CGmqG2g8gPrpmTegFFNjtCIJ-c1uNIKNRxpQcBjWHXipiO3~jWt1nRp5hpWecL4LdUsj7mJpMrXJosyBYhunFt6fJe5YM-pujGaAW4sxmC24z3gx203~ey-IlLOdbY9qCIET~4FcagQckjWS806HUre-lUi2PNUNPezWhQeznIKrMd5qON2D4i0VVkT9EezvS~XW--nRyTgki0cib-1erzayvODchCwoC4Z75riZBqbvRE9f2RypYAkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Brown, Central Ohio regional liaison for the Ohio Auditor of State, presented the Auditor of State Award with Distinction to the Westerville City School District at the board’s April 2025 meeting.

The award recognizes local governments and school districts that submit timely financial reports, prepare a comprehensive annual financial report on a GAAP basis and receive a “clean” audit report without findings such as material weaknesses, findings for recovery or uniform guidance findings. Brown said roughly 4% of audited entities qualify for the honor and praised the district’s finance team and leadership.

“We’d like to recognize your treasurer and CFO Nicole Marshall for her leadership, professionalism and exceptional commitment to fiscal integrity,” Brown said as he presented the award on behalf of Auditor Keith Faber.

The board also used the meeting to recognize a string of student and staff honors: Westerville North’s boys basketball team (Ohio Division II state champions), indoor track state champions from Westerville Central (including back‑to‑back state high jump and triple jump winner Elijah Harris and 400‑meter champion Robert Young), state wrestling top finishers from North and South, and the district’s spring A+ award recipients — employees nominated by students, families and colleagues for exemplary service.

The board called forward student athletes and staff recipients and acknowledged several individuals by name, including Micah Young and Ty Perkins (North basketball), Elijah Harris and Robert Young (Central track), and A+ award winners from across the district.

The presentation and recognitions occupied the first portion of the April meeting; no formal action was required to accept the award, which the auditor’s office made at the meeting.","Scott Brown of the Ohio Auditor of State presented Westerville City School District with the Auditor of State Award with Distinction; the board also recognized state champions, student athletes and district A+ award winners.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6259638,"Votes at a glance: Westerville board approves March financials, multiple facilities contracts, donations and personnel items",909,3191000,4100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139809-af9ce7ac28983027da239b0f660a683d&start=3191&end=4100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139809-af9ce7ac28983027da239b0f660a683d/thumbnail_3191000.jpg","/articles/6259638/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-Westerville-board-approves-March-financials-multiple-facilities-contracts-donations-and-personnel-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259638-1d48c3f8eae82d998e80dae9e7b87085/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153549&Signature=Bkf6hPD4Ho34V-svaIvUJpD9B6~SKheJ76ohi8qoWY4DUcA9ymfPI1KpIwMK61klnlXuYLUPufwIZmgUUfPL68lwywWRkBttyAj69~5JM8YNmbpBtLBtgTm3PMRf0kYZFzbprZzcX1D9ab4e8Wlmp3GdArrq2uJ42Djpviy5paEzLzoxfKGyhmhNIHFhDJ07FFNWY0Ym1aSRIn6ue1SLvNA-r4vMONpRJVAFhbPHnZfLZ9YdI13tB-1hBFu4a9Ko55Dcze4lnTU0RQaECgkvW7Ab5snP1qYMWae5krlSFsi9ZrMOyNBi267GIb5bIRt5iZo0~Aa9B1nqE91OuaWe2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westerville City School District Board of Education on April 2025 approved routine minutes and financial reports, accepted donations, authorized several out‑of‑state student trips, and awarded multiple construction and maintenance contracts funded mainly from permanent improvement funds.

Key outcomes (motions approved):

- Approval of minutes: Regular meeting minutes from April 7, 2025, and special session minutes from April 14, 2025, were approved by roll call.

- Financial approvals: The board approved the March 2025 financial reports and investments; Treasurer Nicole Marshall reported year‑to‑date general‑fund receipts of $224,200,000, year‑to‑date expenditures of $168,300,000 and an unencumbered general‑fund balance of $209,200,000 (timing tied to tax settlements).

- Purchases: The board approved three then‑and‑now purchase orders (items described by Marshall): uniforms for Westerville North girls lacrosse (BSN Sports), prom decorations for Central High School (Class of 2026), and thermographic roof surveys (PIMCO Thermal). Each purchase was reported as covered by existing budgets.

- Personnel: The personnel consent agenda (items 8.01–8.09) was approved, and the board recognized retiring staff including Jody Russell (27 years), Sarah Birka (24 years) and Juliet Peoples (11 years).

- Donations: The board accepted donations totaling $109,978.32 for the month (bringing the year‑to‑date donations to $346,360.34).

- Out‑of‑state trips: Three student trips were approved: two proposed international tours (Portugal and Iceland, planned for 2027) and the Westerville Central band trip to Walt Disney World (February 2026).

- Facilities and maintenance contracts (awarded; amounts from agenda):
• Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. — Genoa Middle School façade restoration, $139,837.51 (masonry repair, cleaning, joint caulking, masonry sealing with a 10‑year warranty; funded from permanent improvement funds).
• Burns & Jones Construction — Genoa Middle School track replacement, $521,541 (full replacement of wear course, eight lanes, lane markings and long‑jump approach; project start coordinated May 19, cure time ~28 days; funded from PI funds).
• Burns & Jones Construction — Walnut Springs Middle School track replacement (approved; amount not specified on the agenda; scope similar, six lanes).
• Total Tennis Inc. — North High tennis court repairs/restoration, $102,970 (seal and repair cracks; will restore five courts to competition standard; funded from PI funds).
• VSWC Architects Inc. — Design services for Westerville South High School scoreboard replacements, $19,000 (professional design/permit drawings required prior to purchase/installation; PI funds).
• Lehman Damon Construction Services — Robert Frost and Mark Twain projects (gym enclosure and single‑stall ADA restroom; approved; contract amount not specified on the agenda).
• Garland/DBS Inc. — FY‑25 roofing and masonry repairs (Central, South, Whittier, North), $1,450,301 (roofing and masonry scope; completion date Aug. 2; funded from PI funds).

Board votes: Roll‑call votes for routine approvals consistently recorded “Yes” from board members present. (The meeting record shows each motion moved and seconded and then passed by roll call; individual board member names are recorded in the transcript roll calls.)

What this means: The board used its permanent improvement funds for planned maintenance and athletic facilities work and approved student travel and personnel items. Several contracts include August completion dates to align with school schedules.","At its April meeting the Westerville City School District board approved minutes, financial reports, purchases, personnel actions, donations, out‑of‑state trips and several construction and maintenance contracts funded from permanent improvement funds.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6259643,"Westerville superintendent warns state budget proposal to claw back reserves would force cuts, more levies",630,2474000,3104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3139809-af9ce7ac28983027da239b0f660a683d&start=2474&end=3104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3139809-af9ce7ac28983027da239b0f660a683d/thumbnail_2474000.jpg","/articles/6259643/Ohio/Westerville-superintendent-warns-state-budget-proposal-to-claw-back-reserves-would-force-cuts-more-levies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259643-81895b050f3bae49f8857bb5e37897d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153549&Signature=HS4tPyk2~5rxXmY~WzDe0dXXPvlgWLEQ4wez8Q5uCpbY6vv1m2yolr244IzGMRSzqHNjEKbQRejyvlYnRQE92gu660fw~KWK0tNeGM0S~Ay2K9aFWUwwnRcwugNIBPfZ3uQ61CfSsabDD5ml8HPryWaF56F0GdZd-F-QEbhNeb6AqsgrNdbT~UOMEPzD3Yk1Xp~lH3ALDhuSXvJDZaYAUkMNJ-ssxx9HO6A7X95m9Iz7zIY9qjwIro7ODRLx1S3h~yKZbyGQ04AYvwGrQwM5treYUnhDu7D58QRTeuRBep6QaWrrqAR0wVTmOZ3H8aUjg24xd-VhhN9ZdZOK~IzIeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Hamburg warned the Westerville City School District board at its April 2025 meeting that a House budget amendment proposing to reclaim any district cash balance above 30% of the prior year’s expenditures would be “detrimental” and could force steep local cuts.

The superintendent said the change — described as a clawback of reserves — could leave the district facing ballot measures nearly every year and would likely require future levies to be “at least 2 mills higher than it was last November.”

Why it matters: The board’s leaders said the proposal comes as districts already face shrinking state revenue and rising operating costs. Without access to reserve balances, the district said it would have fewer options to maintain programs and staffing while responding to funding shortfalls.

Discussion details: Superintendent Hamburg told the board that the House amendment initially proposed a lower threshold and that members have been urging lawmakers to remove the cap. She said Westerville already lost about $4 million in state funding compared with the prior year and noted the district has used reserves as a temporary bridge because the state formula has not fully adjusted for inflation. “This 30% anything over 30% expenditure callback would be detrimental to our community,” Hamburg said. “It would mean we would be on the ballot nearly every year going forward.”

Treasurer Nicole Marshall provided the budget context the board reviewed earlier in the meeting: March month‑end figures show year‑to‑date general‑fund receipts of $224,200,000 and year‑to‑date expenditures of $168,300,000, producing an unencumbered general‑fund balance of $209,200,000 (a timing effect tied to property‑tax settlements). Marshall and Hamburg both urged community members to contact state lawmakers.

Board and staff outreach: Hamburg and Marshall said they and board members have testified before lawmakers and met with representatives and senators, and they encouraged residents to contact legislators to explain how the proposal would affect their district. They noted the Senate education committee planned hearings beginning April 28 (as communicated to the board) and urged residents to press for removal of the cap.

Context and limits: The superintendent referenced guidance from the Auditor of State’s office about financial health indicators — including a cautionary note if a fund balance falls below 50% — but said those metrics and state policy proposals can send mixed signals when considered alongside the proposed clawback. Hamburg and Marshall emphasized that their comments described the potential local consequences of the state proposal; no formal board action was taken at the meeting on the matter.

What comes next: Board leaders asked the community to contact state legislators now and said they will continue to report developments on the state budget as hearings proceed.","At the April Westerville City School District board meeting, Superintendent Hamburg and Treasurer Nicole Marshall warned a House budget amendment that would require districts to return cash balances above 30% of prior-year expenditures could force program cuts and frequent levies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parent asks board to review relationship with EF Tours for possible ethics, privacy concerns

State auditor presents Award with Distinction; district honors student athletes and A+ staff

Votes at a glance: Westerville board approves March financials, multiple facilities contracts, donations and personnel items

Westerville superintendent warns state budget proposal to claw back reserves would force cuts, more levies