Westerville City School Board Seeks New Tax Levies to Finance School Work, Operations

July 10, 2024

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The Westerville City School Board has unanimously decided to propose a combined bond-levies issue for the Nov. 5 ballot. This measure aims to fund infrastructure upgrades at four older elementary schools and support the district’s operating budget.

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The bonds would total up to $140 million with an estimated net average interest rate of 4.5%. The first levy, at 1.66 mills, will cover both interest and principal payments on these bonds, translating to approximately $58 in property taxes per $100,000 of appraised property value annually over a 37-year period, the maximum term of the bonds.
A current levy set to expire will offset any tax increase from the new levy, potentially resulting in a slight decrease for taxpayers. The second levy, however, will increase taxes by $172 per $100,000 of property value to fund current operating costs. If approved, the proposal is expected to generate approximately $20.8 million annually for operations, according to estimates from the Franklin County Auditor’s office.
Board Member Nancy Nestor-Baker expressed concern for students’ financial challenges but emphasized the necessity of supporting them despite fiscal constraints.
Westerville is seeking additional funds due to inflation, the need to retain competitive staff salaries, and to expand support services for students, including those in special education and English language learners. Failure to pass the levy would force the district to address a $20.8 million revenue shortfall as mandated by state law for a balanced budget. Doug Nichols, a local resident, urged the board not to proceed with putting the resolution on the ballot.
Doug Nichols criticized the Franklin County Auditor’s 2023 reappraisals as inconsistent and questioned the use of computer-assisted mass appraisal software. He highlighted comments by Scott Reeves, Westerville Schools’ assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, who noted that the district’s student poverty level had exceeded 40%. Nichols urged serious consideration of how a 4.9 mill levy would affect these families, expressing concern that some students from low-income households might lose access to the district’s educational opportunities if their families face home loss due to financial strain.
The proposed bonds would fund renovations and expansions at four of Westerville School District’s oldest schools: Cherrington Elementary, Huber Ridge Elementary, Blendon Middle School, and Walnut Springs Middle School, all established in the 1960s. According to district spokesperson Charlie Boss, these improvements align with the district’s facility master plan, which was publicized earlier. The resolution also includes enhancements to safety and security across the district. Boss highlighted that the district plans to finance these projects without increasing property taxes by reallocating $30 million from existing resources.
In 2019, Westerville residents approved a bond-levy combination with a narrow 52% majority. This funding facilitated the construction of Minerva France Elementary School and Minerva Park Middle School, which opened in fall 2022 and fall 2023, respectively. The levy also supported district-wide safety and security enhancements, as well as renovations and expansions at various elementary schools within the district.