(ARCHIVED) November 5, 2019 Ballot Issue

JOIN US AT THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY FORUMS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ISSUE #8

 

The Westerville City School District Board of Education on Monday, July 15, 2019, voted unanimously to request additional funding for facilities and operations by placing a combined levy on the November 5, 2019, ballot. The levy will be Issue #8.
Issue #8 includes 1.95 mills for facilities and 5.9 mills for continuing operations. The estimated monthly additional cost to property owners is $22.89 per $100,000 of valuation. Click the following for a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Issue #8.

Through careful management, stretching dollars, and taking rigorous care of school facilities, it has been 7 years since the Westerville City School District last asked voters for new operating revenue and 19 years since asking for new schools to manage enrollment growth. 
District officials have worked hard to strengthen finances, stretch resources, and run the schools within current means. As a result of these efforts, district officials have avoided deficit spending at least six years longer than first expected and improved the district’s financial picture, even while restoring programs and services after deep budget cuts several years ago.

 

 

The district's enrollment is growing again.
Since 2003, when the district last opened new school buildings for enrollment growth, almost 1,300 more students have joined our district. And, we are projected to add another estimated 1,300 students over the next 10 years. We reached a record enrollment of 15,385 in the 2018-19 school year and are running out of space to educate students. Additional resources will allow the district to ensure it has an appropriate teaching staff to address larger class sizes and provide individual attention for students as enrollment grows.

 

During the November 5, 2019, general election, residents will be asked to vote on one combined ballot issue (Issue #8) that funds projects in the first five years of the district's Facilities Master Plan.
Projects specified in the first five years of the Facilities Master Plan include a new elementary school and a new middle school in southern end of district; renovations and additions at Annehurst and Whittier elementary schools; renovations at Hawthorne Elementary School; infrastructure updates at Emerson, Hanby and Longfellow elementary schools; and safety/security updates at all schools. Completion of these projects means the following for our schools, students, and community:

• Every school will receive more modern security features and systems to keep students and staff safe.
• More students will be able to attend schools closer to their homes and neighborhoods, rather than having to bus them across the district.
• We will be better able to implement our redesigned middle school curriculum and ensure that both middle and high school students have access to courses where they can explore high-demand careers, such as engineering, business, logistics, and the medical profession.
• Buildings will receive much-needed modern equipment and system upgrades so they can support a technologically advanced education that allows graduates to be more competitive in college and the workplace.
• Staff levels will be maintained to help address larger class sizes and provide individualized attention for students

 

TYPICAL SCHOOL ENTRYWAY

Before Safety Improvements...

 

After Safety Improvements...

 

CHART OF PROJECTS