[{"_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",6227446,"mediaKeyId","3491434-fdc1cf3984ec098fd38de2fad0bf6cbd","parentId",3491434,"title","Board holds first reading of Parents' Bill of Rights policy required by new state law","audioSeconds",448,"startMs",6550000,"endMs",6998000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491434-fdc1cf3984ec098fd38de2fad0bf6cbd&start=6550&end=6998","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491434-fdc1cf3984ec098fd38de2fad0bf6cbd/thumbnail_6550000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227446/Ohio/Board-holds-first-reading-of-Parents-Bill-of-Rights-policy-required-by-new-state-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227446-9e4a66cf469cdc68eabab0ce651457cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770523272&Signature=FC4I3E1qqb-y4ev96knB1WEV5Lt4f1fWFPdipgOnp5cN8bvS6h9O0UJBLX3mizymcr0bEyZfT3aZsxGui2Br1a780zPqaMkrtYi3I9zjPmQRZB80zALEGJYwTCg06b4BYsK6mdP5iVx2o3CZ4CSXD4z0EyqISX5wasDT27ak-d1qX7x0Cj8i-eQpQUJ~Vcl4dr7K2oWPkW6hIddjeNWi85UE54PRaMGSkuTItezL4E6HfJuS1ykYIlUqxULeyGXdVt3xReOoZGBN5w3a-LmxmC29TTcmwPjP5pNPzh9T2ohFoftva4rULc~XIcUucJhc-ExZop7qZFQKE6bka1d~qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Westerville City Regular School District, OH ","date","2025-05-24T12:43:42.137Z","article","The Westerville City Schools Board of Education conducted the required first reading of a new Parents’ Bill of Rights policy (policy 57‑80.01) at its May 19 meeting, reflecting provisions of House Bill 8, which became effective April 9.

Scott Reeves presented the policy’s required elements, saying the law requires parental notification by phone or email of substantial changes to a student’s health, mental or emotional services and the opportunity for parents to inspect instructional materials and to opt students out of instruction that includes certain types of sensitive content. Reeves said the district already provides many parent inspection and opt‑out options and that the policy largely codifies statutory requirements.

Board members asked staff to check whether particular language needs clarification with respect to students who receive special education services and to confirm how conflicts between safety‑related confidentiality and notification requirements would be handled. Administration said the district’s legal counsel and policy team will be engaged where statutory provisions intersect with child‑safety obligations and that implementation will require training and coordination; no additional state funding for implementation was identified during the discussion.

This was a first reading; no final vote was taken. Staff said they will review cross‑references with existing special education and safety policies and return a final draft for board consideration within the policy cycle.

Why it matters: The policy implements a state law requiring proactive parental access to curriculum and notification for specified student wellbeing issues. Administrators said the district already follows many of the law’s practices but that implementing the new policy will require staff time, legal review and communication planning.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 19, 2025 Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","On first reading the board reviewed policy 57‑80.01, aligning district practice with House Bill 8; administrators said many required parent inspection and notification practices are already in place but raised resourcing and legal‑conflict questions.","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},6227451,"Board approves personnel consent items as district reorganizes administrative structure and reduces positions",2886,3594000,6480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491434-fdc1cf3984ec098fd38de2fad0bf6cbd&start=3594&end=6480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491434-fdc1cf3984ec098fd38de2fad0bf6cbd/thumbnail_3594000.jpg","/articles/6227451/Ohio/Board-approves-personnel-consent-items-as-district-reorganizes-administrative-structure-and-reduces-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227451-3b7babd2f3f15a9fce028168c2c371b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770523272&Signature=d6HItEm5jwlPpnL7hO2K8VuoB~0AQE2aj7L3MWlw-I7R9Y4D-ldD9iKfFUJjpEx82MLxJopXgyLYXEuO1Zbg1E-FD3I52e1EUwe7R9lSsHdvDu~eRFFxrhBvj28cMrBoCo-mOF8~cgy-SL88RTBeG0XMI7BMG7JCrtKLKlFW6uGO6onUZINQpPT1SJKlBLZRhaLVbvR6RlDkwzthq7ioHfKcyqZP43hyk95mXKgKVi7gFT55TaeGbeCuobQUaxSqvra6sitLzj-ybHceDaeQY4rLi1fseAszmr3USg1WjJNt~JiYwGvvjExNvewa6ZFXQnhd200x6AnIP0N0nVURzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westerville City Schools Board of Education approved a personnel consent agenda on May 19 that included administrative restructuring, a one‑year administrative salary scale, one‑year extensions of two negotiated agreements and a memorandum of understanding to extend insurance for certain retiring teachers.

Board members approved consolidating deputy‑level duties into a new chief personnel and policy officer position that administration recommended Scott Reeves fill; the board also approved renaming existing tiers and recommending Mark Cooper for the chief academic officer role. Administration said the deputy superintendent position will not be refilled and some executive‑level responsibilities will be absorbed into the chief roles.

Carrie Dennis and other administrators described further reorganizations in curriculum and enrollment: the district will combine two director positions (elementary and secondary curriculum) into a single director of curriculum and roll the coordinator of student enrollment into the director of state and federal programs and enrollment. Anne Baldwin is the listed candidate for that combined role. The agenda included the recommendation of Kate Toma for the director of curriculum position.

Administration and Human Resources outlined broader staffing changes: the district identified over 30 position reductions for the next school year, with projected savings of more than $3 million. Officials said most reductions come through retirements and other attrition; they emphasized district efforts to prioritize staff choice in placements and to post openings for which displaced employees may apply. Administrators also said they are not planning reductions to categories where shortages are ongoing — for example, bus drivers.

The board approved administrative guidelines for one year that implement a salary scale for administrators (a 1% base increase and step increments of 1.5% per additional year up to a cap). The board also approved one‑year extensions to WEA and WESSA negotiated agreements providing a 2.7% base increase and approved an MOU to extend insurance benefits for certain employees who became eligible for retirement under a recent STRS change.

Superintendent Hamburg and other leaders described how teacher reassignments are handled under negotiated agreements: the district seeks volunteers and allows employees to apply for posted openings; when open positions remain, HR may place staff to meet operational needs, and displaced employees are prioritized for placement. The district said it will finalize some placement decisions as enrollment numbers settle through June and July.

Why it matters: The approvals put in place a leaner district office and short‑term compensation structure intended to reduce expenses while preserving prioritized instructional services. Staff and board acknowledged the changes will require careful communication and monitoring over the summer to place affected employees and to ensure student services continue.

","The Westerville City Schools board approved personnel actions on May 19 that formalize an administrative restructuring, a temporary administrative salary scale and one‑year contract extensions, while staff described reductions of more than 30 positions mainly via attrition.",{"_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},6227455,"Westerville Schools to reduce gifted facilitator pullouts, expand gifted service models after Ohio code change",433,825000,1258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491434-fdc1cf3984ec098fd38de2fad0bf6cbd&start=825&end=1258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491434-fdc1cf3984ec098fd38de2fad0bf6cbd/thumbnail_825000.jpg","/articles/6227455/Ohio/Westerville-Schools-to-reduce-gifted-facilitator-pullouts-expand-gifted-service-models-after-Ohio-code-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227455-8debd16c53b80f3770fa28ce7896b778/orig.mp4?Expires=1770523272&Signature=DM-QW3wYU0wG40wxUskJeSF1hhzvoL76MgyNzc~ul7KpzdHt1aifslXdob9LktvQR4hBbXEZy6cYBxs2nVsg7LiJ-ZwOHL3HYen07QE4VWrPd7-9FFmi5GpvPENIJMX29Rlkmlsr3lTiRGAANCQvUT9kBns8dE8DPWjwSqVHJQiy2WL3~71Uh1bz64s38wfAGGlaw~5a2BSY7moittDcyGyg8ETe9IyknTXxSj6Jl5Lb31oH-Thx-VUvkFBKM1sc2E~-OMn9KTAt~ALdfUU9hmj55GjS21YrT9wir~PBCLzbeRYhfTF-AGbrxBsijnhWF6gw2KpRaqQcH99KfEEN-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the Westerville City Schools Board of Education on May 19 that the district will reduce pull-out gifted facilitator positions and adjust service models while maintaining the state‑recognized gifted service hours delivered in classrooms.

Scott Reeves, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, introduced the report, then Gerty Klass, executive director of specialized learning programs, and Cheryl Rufford, executive director of elementary education, outlined the changes. Klass and Rufford said the district offers multiple state‑recognized gifted service models — including self‑contained classrooms, cluster grouping, AP/IB, and College Credit Plus — and said those core service models will remain in place.

Rufford said the district is reducing its gifted facilitators (staff who provide pull‑out enrichment activities) to preserve state‑required gifted service models in classrooms: middle‑school facilitators will be reduced from two to one and elementary facilitators will be reduced from four to two. The presenters stressed that facilitator duties were enrichment on top of required service models and that the reductions will lessen (but not eliminate) pull‑out enrichment opportunities.

Rufford said an Ohio Administrative Code change taking effect July 1 removes the 20‑student cap in self‑contained gifted classes for grades 3–5. District staff said they are reviewing data and will determine any new caps with attention to test scores and classroom logistics; staff said they do not intend to exceed the capacity of the physical classrooms, noting the magnet classrooms at Hamby are already set at 26.

Klass and Rufford also described an added service model for grades 9–10: honors courses taught by gifted‑trained teachers will count as a gifted service model, expanding services for hundreds of students in those grades who previously had no formal gifted service beyond middle school. Klass said students taking IB, AP or College Credit Plus continue to receive gifted services under state definitions.

On communication, staff said parents will be notified by email when final staffing decisions are made; that timeline could stretch into June or July as the district incorporates updated Ohio rules and summer enrollment changes. Board members asked for clearer and earlier communications to families and for specific data on changes in pull‑out frequency; staff said they will produce the data and notify families when plans are final.

Why it matters: The district says core gifted service models will be preserved while enrichment frequency will decrease. Parents and teachers asked for detail on how changes will affect classroom size, facilitator scheduling and student invitations to self‑contained placements.

","District leaders told the board they will reduce the number of gifted facilitators and add honors-taught gifted services in grades 9–10; Ohio Administrative Code changes will allow larger self-contained elementary classrooms starting July 1.",{"_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},6227460,"Westerville City Schools board adopts updated five-year forecast showing $17 million gap; staff to pursue reserves, transfers and tax options",3029,2276000,5305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3491434-fdc1cf3984ec098fd38de2fad0bf6cbd&start=2276&end=5305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3491434-fdc1cf3984ec098fd38de2fad0bf6cbd/thumbnail_2276000.jpg","/articles/6227460/Ohio/Westerville-City-Schools-board-adopts-updated-five-year-forecast-showing-17-million-gap-staff-to-pursue-reserves-transfers-and-tax-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227460-77e9ab71e987b6c9cee766a2a73bd1f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770523272&Signature=gyN637Ody2UQQOW~Wl5FpWacAmCa0rf1oUbzDtDtSavLKdOXdOu-ZE9oyOCv02oqTndX6l0o1R0dneafKbyf6lQ2~iPmBqbGh1z5cM2Y4zj9RbfqsLRYgqMGMIvDGNYS-hqX1OSzYDtI7-9RWdzyEZaqD-fkwdBhFpm2n4-vuo2I6EcJF~DetecDJ4dczZbleU7-PlpKJtmlWc6PlXRmMAYM7-Dw55yDzcRyFKLvSkcxvBvmZbqH16rtGIrnD2CNKLGdGx8QdvdOmkHUX4boT56IURqKTG7DPfT4YNjazftiWmi1obC4ugAUzLccOUNEb1w3hbeXjnR0cvaOKmQmLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westerville City Schools Board of Education on May 19 approved an updated five-year forecast that shows the district bringing in about $17 million less in revenue than it plans to spend in fiscal year 2026.

Nicole Marshall, district finance staff, presented the forecast and told the board the district had reduced a previously projected $22 million shortfall to $17 million through budget adjustments. Marshall said the district also recorded a loss of about $4 million in state funding for fiscal 2025 and that one-time items — such as an e-rate reimbursement and ESSER dollars — had distorted year-to-year comparisons.

The forecast approved at the meeting includes a planned one-time transfer out of $45 million to create restricted accounts for predictable future costs, including a termination‑benefits fund (for severance and accumulated leave payouts) and a capital projects fund to cover replacements such as school buses and roof work. Marshall and other staff said the transfers are intended as accounting steps to show external reviewers and lawmakers that the district has plans for cash balances; the board’s approval of the forecast records the transfers in planning but any movement of funds will follow required procedures.

Superintendent Hamburg explained the transfers are intended to smooth spikes in costs in later years of the forecast and to make the district’s intentions clearer to state lawmakers who have proposed tighter limits on school district cash balances. Staff cited a legislative proposal discussed in hearings that would cap district cash at roughly 30% of expenses; Marshall said the House proposal as described could affect roughly $102 million statewide. The board discussed the risk that additional state action or reductions would increase local shortfalls.

Board members and staff discussed local options for raising revenue. Marshall outlined two primary voter‑approved choices: property tax levies and school district income taxes, noting that an income tax would apply to residents and renters inside the district boundary and that setup and employer withholding schedules mean revenues lag implementation. The board was told that the filing deadline to get a tax question on the November ballot requires action in early August, with paperwork to county or state offices required in mid‑summer.

The board set a June work session to refine plans, including the proposed capital projects priorities and the termination‑benefits accounting, and approved the May 31 updated forecast by voice vote. Trustees also approved a separate amendment to the FY25 appropriations to reflect incoming grant adjustments.

Why it matters: Marshall told the board the district’s revenues are not keeping pace with inflation and without additional local or state revenue the district will need further programmatic reductions. Board and administrative leaders said they will continue state advocacy and prepare potential local ballot options while monitoring summer enrollment and staffing decisions.

What’s next: Staff will prepare detailed plans for the proposed restricted accounts and present options at a June work session; the board could decide in June or July whether to place a tax question on the November ballot.

","The Westerville City Schools Board of Education on May 19 adopted an updated five-year forecast that shows a $17 million shortfall for the 2025–26 school year and directs staff to plan reserve transfers and consider local revenue options amid state funding uncertainty.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board holds first reading of Parents' Bill of Rights policy required by new state law

Board approves personnel consent items as district reorganizes administrative structure and reduces positions

Westerville Schools to reduce gifted facilitator pullouts, expand gifted service models after Ohio code change

Westerville City Schools board adopts updated five-year forecast showing $17 million gap; staff to pursue reserves, transfers and tax options