Westerville Schools Talks Which Cuts May Be Restored If Levy Approved

It's one of the largest school districts in Central Ohio and Wednesday night, leaders of Westerville City Schools had the difficult task of deciding which programs are more important than others.

If voters approve a levy in March, some programs and jobs that are as good as gone now may be restored.

Cuts are on the way for Westerville City Schools.

The question is whether its $23 million in cuts or around $7 million -- as would be the case if a proposed 6.7-mill levy is approved in March.

Working under that scenario, Wednesday night Westerville City Schools Superintendent Dan Good presented the school board with a list prioritizing which programs would be restored if voters have a change of heart from last November, when they rejected a levy.

Good's recommendations are based on the direct impact the programs have on students.

The proposed restoration list presented is as follows:

 (Top recommendations)

• Non-title reading intervention teachers (reading intervention services)
• Gifted intervention services

 (Second most recommended)

• Non-title instructional coaches
• Related arts instruction (including orchestra) - high school electives - International baccalaureate program - non-athletic extra/co-curricular - Athletic - extra/co curricular including personnel and transportation.
• Middle school guidance service

(Third most recommended)

• World languages
• Media specialists

 (Fourth most recommended)

• Magnet - includes transportation and personnel
• Middle school technology courses
• Duty monitor

(Least recommended)

• High school deans
• Media clerks
• Cafeteria/recess aids
• Department facilitators
• Extended time (30 percent reduction)

Parent Tom Lynch attended the meeting. Both of his daughters are in the district’s magnet program.

"Unfortunately, that's very low on the priority list," said Lynch. "I'm disappointed to see that, but I also understand the reasoning behind it and that some programs are honestly more important."

He said the district has been put in a difficult position.

"I'm impressed with the district's willingness to take a real long hard look at how they'll decide what programs to reinstate," said Lynch. "It's a terrible thing to have to go through, all these things are really crucial to the district's success in providing quality education to students."

Ron Flasterstein, who has two children in Westerville City Schools, also attended the meeting.

"I hope that people see that voting for the levy is still voting for $7 million in cuts. Voting against the levy is $23 million in cuts and in that case there will be nothing restored at all and the quality of the school will obviously be affected in a major way," said Flasterstein.

Good made it clear at the meeting that unless the district finds additional revenue, such as through the upcoming levy, the discussion over what programs to restore is essentially a moot point.

He also said the district continues to find ways to spend money more efficiently.

CORRECTION: NBC4 incorrectly reported Wednesday at 11 p.m. that Pickerington Local Schools and Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools plan to put issues on the ballot in May.

Officials with both school districts said they are not planning to put a levy or issue on any upcoming ballots.

We also incorrectly reported the amount of a proposed income tax replacement for Teays Valley Schools this March. Voters there will decide on a  1.5 percent income tax replacement.

We apologize for the error and regret any inconvenience this may have caused.

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