Several Westerville residents used the board's public-comment period on Sept. 8 to urge support for the school district's upcoming ballot measure, while one speaker urged voters to oppose the levy on philosophical grounds.

Yana Dowdy, who said she has two children at McVay Elementary, described how public education provided stability and opportunity in her life and asked the community to "vote yes for Westerville schools." "An investment in our schools is an investment in our community's future," Dowdy said, recounting teachers and extracurricular programs that she said shaped her and are now shaping her children.

Antonio Valentino, who identified himself as a Westerville schools graduate and a former collegiate and professional athlete, spoke through an athletic lens and described school programs as a "microcosm" that can change lives. He urged voters to support the levy so current students can have the same opportunities he had.

Sarah Prose, a parent whose son will soon enter Westerville schools, said her family moved to Westerville for the school opportunities and said she and her family "plan to vote yes on the ballot measure in November."

Eric Denison spoke against the levy. He argued that using government force to collect taxes is ethically wrong and suggested individuals should voluntarily give money to schools rather than supporting a tax. "It is simply not ethical, moral, or philosophically justifiable to force someone else to give money," Denison told the board.

These public comments were part of the board's scheduled public-comment period; no board response or action was taken during that portion of the meeting.