Westerville superintendent outlines $20 million cuts tied to failed levy; public commenters clash over finances

Superintendent Angie Hamburg told the school board Tuesday that the district has prepared a $20 million reduction plan that would take effect if next week—s earned-income tax proposal fails, and public commenters used the meeting to press competing narratives about district finances.

"We would be looking at around 10 positions administratively . . . 64 at the elementary level . . . 31 at the middle school" and 19 at the high school under the proposed reductions, Hamburg said, describing an estimated 124 positions and about $12.3 million tied to personnel reductions. The district also outlined revenue and program changes that would together reach the $20 million target: increased pay-to-play fees (middle-school per-sport fee to $350; high-school per-sport $500), elimination of summer school, possible elimination of all-day kindergarten (the district currently operates tuition-based full-day kindergarten), and reductions to contracted services, field trips and supplemental contracts.

Hamburg said the proposed cuts would be implemented only if the levy fails and that administration had…