Westerville City Schools plans to place a pernanent levy request on the May primary ballot to avoid further cutbacks following a levy failure in November.
At a meeting on Monday, the Westerville City school board passed a resolution to place a 4.9-mill permanent operating levy on the May 6 primary ballot. The board will decide at its Jan. 27 meeting whether to submit the request to the Ohio Auditor’s Office for approval. It is unclear what the tax burden would be on taxpayers until the measure is certified by the Franklin County auditor.
Children get off a school bus on Aug. 15, 2023, on the first day of school for sixth grade students attending Minerva Park Middle School in the Westerville City Schools.
According to a letter sent to parents, since the November levy failed the district has worked to reduce expenses by $8 million, “shifting more of the cost of educating students to our local community.”
More: Rural districts struggle, wealthier suburbs see success in central Ohio school levies
“We must seek additional operating funds to avoid making additional reductions to student programs and services,” the letter said.
In November, Westerville City Schools sought a combined levy-bond issue. The 37-year bond issue would have cost 1.66 mills and generated $140 million for school construction and improvements.
Voters rejected the levy 52%-48%, The Dispatch previously reported.
School levies in recent cycles have struggled to receive voter approval, with all local levies failing in the March 2024 primary and less than half passing in the November 2024 election. Voter appetite for supporting local levies appeared to be diminished in recent election cycles after 2023 property reappraisals throughout the region led to higher property valuations throughout much of Franklin and neighboring counties.
Cbehrens@dispatch.com
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Facing cuts: Westerville City Schools plan levy on May primary balloy