Westerville City Schools Discusses Ballot Proposal

WESTERVILLE, Ohio—In a time of unprecedented economic distress, Westerville City Schools will ask voters for money. 

The district will face a $15-million shortfall in 2011.

NBC 4’s Tacoma Newsome GOT ANSWERS on the district’s options.

Monday night, the board of education discussed what it sees as the only option for maintaining an excellent rating.

One board member said the district is sensitive of the impact their request will have on the consumers’ pocketbook and those on fixed incomes.

The board said it already has tightened its belt, including not filling open positions and cutting programs.

MAY BALLOT PROPOSAL
The proposal included three issues:
1. A 9.9-mill operating levy to fund day-to-day operations.
2. A capital improvement levy.
3. A bond issue.
Issues 2 and 3 would not have new millage. Those two would replace expiring levies.

School officials said they realize it’s a tall order to ask voters for any amount of money but were confident in the commitment of residents to their school system.

The district will be required to agree to the options by the end of February to have those issues placed on the May ballot.

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