Superintendent praises Westerville board, urges support as 'public education ... is in jeopardy'

The district superintendent for Westerville City (Regular School District) recognized the school board on Monday, praising members' volunteer time and urging community support for public education.

The superintendent said the district had postponed the recognitions last month because of weather and that the board members being honored are paid only for board meetings, while much of their work—reading updates, attending leadership meetings and visiting schools—occurs on their own time. "They're only paid for their board meetings," the superintendent said, adding that the unpaid hours board members put in are "extraordinary."

The superintendent highlighted new board member Tatiana Brown, saying staff had spent "about eight hours" visiting buildings and providing an orientation to help her catch up. She also noted the district's size, saying Westerville is among the state's larger districts: "we're at the tenth largest district in the state," she said.

Beyond local duties, the superintendent said board members are active advocates for public education statewide, "going down and speaking at the state house, reaching out to legislators," and appealed to attendees to join those efforts. "Public education in our state and our nation is in jeopardy right now," she said, urging the public to support policies that sustain services for students. She added that roughly "90% of the kids in Ohio are served by public schools," framing the issues as broadly consequential.

The superintendent closed by naming and thanking the board members: Vice President Jennifer Altman; Tatiana Brown; Anissa Liban; President Christy Meyer; and Luis Valentine.

No formal motions or votes were recorded during this recognition segment.