BY 1808Delaware
The Westerville City School District Board of Education unanimously voted earlier this month to place a combined levy and bond issue on the November 5 ballot. The measure aims to secure additional funding for the district’s facilities and operations.
Operating Levy and Funding Needs
The proposed 4.9-mill operating levy is expected to generate $20.8 million annually to sustain district operations. According to Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall, the need for this levy stems from several financial challenges, including:
- State Revenue Limitations: State laws restrict growth in revenue from voted levies.
- Federal Fund Expiration: Temporary federal funds are running out.
- State Funding Cuts: Reductions in state funding have impacted the district’s budget.
- Rising Costs: The district faces substantial increases in operational costs.
Marshall emphasized that the district’s return to the ballot aligns with the typical levy cycle experienced by most central Ohio school districts. “We anticipated being back on the ballot in 2023, but have managed to extend this by a year. However, the time has come to address our financial needs,” she stated.
The levy is crucial to address inflationary cost increases, meet specialized service needs for students, and remain competitive in recruiting and retaining high-quality staff. Additionally, the district must counteract the limitations imposed by HB920, which restricts growth on voted levies and relies heavily on local property taxes for school funding.
Facility Master Plan and Bond Issue
The bond issue, if approved, will support $170 million in facility needs, including repairs and renovations to four of the district’s oldest schools. This will enable the district to earn credits from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, making it eligible for state funding for future projects.
Key details of the bond issue include:
- No Increase in Property Tax Millage: The 1.66-mill bond portion is structured to avoid increasing property tax millage due to expiring district bond millage and resource allocation into a Capital Projects Fund.
- Generates $140 Million: Funds will be used for renovations and additions to Cherrington Elementary, Huber Ridge Elementary, Blendon Middle School, and Walnut Springs Middle School. These schools, built in the 1960s, were identified for upgrades in the district’s Facility Master Plan.
Additional facility projects include:
- Preschool Classrooms: Renovations and construction of additional classrooms at the Early Learning Center.
- High School Improvements: Enhancements to stadium storage, performing arts facilities, and equipment/system updates for auditoriums and music spaces.
- Playground and Parking Lot Repairs: Repairs and improvements across the district.
- Safety and Security Updates: Ongoing updates to ensure safety and security district-wide.
Financial Implications for Homeowners
If the levy and bond issue pass, the total annual cost to homeowners would be $230 per $100,000 of appraised property value, according to the County Auditor. However, with the offset of $58 per $100,000 from expiring bonds, the net annual cost would be approximately $172 per $100,000 of appraised value.
Consequences of Non-Approval
Marshall warned that failure to pass the levy would result in delays for the identified facility projects and force district officials to address a $20.8 million shortfall in operating revenue, making it challenging to submit a balanced budget to the state.
Source: Westerville City Schools; Image by Ramadhan Notonegoro from Pixabay
