Superintendent (speaker identified in meeting as the district superintendent) told the Westerville City Schools Board on Sept. 8 that the district will present potential reductions at the next meeting if the November ballot issue fails and that the administration has already eliminated $4.8 million from budgets following a prior levy failure. She said the district has identified another $3.3 million in reductions that would include 33 staff positions and that the board will discuss options at the Sept. 22 meeting.

The superintendent said the administration is preparing materials that distinguish services required by law from programs and positions that are not legally required, and that the board will be asked to discuss and provide direction before the district communicates potential reductions to the community. “Our plan is at the next board meeting on September 22 to include a conversation with the board around potential reductions if the ballot issue fails,” she said.

During public comment preceding the board’s business, several residents urged voters to support the proposed 0.075 percentage-point income-tax ballot measure in November, describing the levy as an investment in students and citing personal experiences with district programs. Yana Dowdy said public education provided opportunities that changed her life and urged the community to “vote yes for Westerville schools.” Antonio Valentino, who said he is a product of the district and now works in higher education, urged support so current students have similar opportunities. Sarah Prose said her family moved to Westerville for the schools and will vote yes on the ballot measure.

One public speaker, Eric Denison, opposed the levy on philosophical grounds, arguing that taxation by government is coercive and urging supporters to make voluntary contributions instead. “If you believe the schools need more money, then put up your own money,” Denison said.

No board action on the levy was taken at the Sept. 8 meeting; the superintendent characterized this as preparatory work and asked the community to remain engaged in the process. The board scheduled a discussion of potential reductions for its Sept. 22 meeting and the superintendent said the administration will share required-by-law impacts and draft savings estimates for board consideration.