Westerville City Schools elects Christie Meyer president, Jennifer Altman vice; superintendent flags kindergarten eligibility change

Christie Meyer was elected president of the Westerville City (Regular School District) Board of Education at the board’s organizational meeting; Jennifer Altman was elected vice president, newly elected member Tatiana Brown was sworn in and trustees approved a package of routine fiscal and personnel measures.

The superintendent told the board that a recent change in state law sets kindergarten eligibility as the first day of classes, which for the district will be Aug. 18 this year. “The new law says it's the first day of classes,” the superintendent said, adding the change will create about 17 additional children who were not previously eligible. The administration said it will notify families and expects some community confusion as the district implements the change.

Why it matters: shifting the eligibility cutoff affects enrollment counts and program planning for early grades. At the same meeting the board approved the district’s alternative tax budget and a standing resolution listing state and federal entitlement programs the district participates in, items the treasurer said the district must continue to share with the county budget commission and to incorporate into the district’s five-year forecast.

The organizational slate: After nominations were opened and closed, the board held roll-call votes to elect Christie Meyer as board president and Jennifer Altman as vice president for calendar year 2026. The board then approved routine organizational items including establishing a board service fund, appointing legal counsel and designating the treasurer as the public records official.

Personnel and operational approvals: The board approved the personnel consent agenda, which included three classified resignations, eight classified contract-status changes, one retirement and the recommended temporary assignment of Aaron Cruz from assistant principal to principal at Norbert Park Middle School while Dr. Garrett Carter is on paternity leave; the administration said Cruz will receive an additional $100 per day through Feb. 27 for the assignment. The board also approved five out-of-state overnight athletic trips that administration said carry no cost to the district.

Public comment and board remarks: One resident, Dave Bashir of Westerville, used the public-comment period to praise a board member (referred to in his remarks as Anissa), saying, “Her leadership has given my children and me a sense of visibility and belonging.” Several trustees used their board comments to emphasize the district’s commitment that “every child belongs” and to urge community members to report concerns and stay engaged.

Next steps: The board noted a joint session with the city on Jan. 22 and a regular meeting Jan. 26 at the Early Learning Center. Trustees then moved into an executive session to discuss employment and compensation matters; the public portion of the meeting adjourned at about 8:20 p.m.

(Reporting based on the board’s organizational meeting transcript; where the transcript contained inconsistent spellings of names, the article uses the names and roles as stated in the meeting.)