WESTERVILLE, Ohio — A number of school districts have levies and bond issues on the ballot this November, including Westerville. During the district’s Board of Education meeting Monday night, some residents expressed concerns they have over Issue 44.
The 4.9-mill operating levy and 1.66-mill bond would generate a combined $160 million for the school district.
"Well, the biggest thing is they don't need more money,” Doug Krinsky, a Westerville resident, said.
"What Westerville taxpayers need from their Board of Education is financial wisdom. You're asking taxpayers with the levy and bond issue to trust you with millions and millions of dollars,” another Westerville resident said.
"As a school board I don't think you fully understand how fed up the residents of Westerville are with your poor decisions and inability to properly manage our money,” another Westerville resident said.
Nicole Marshall, Westerville City Schools treasurer and CFO, said a lot of misinformation is circulating about the board’s use of funds.
"I would hope that people would take the time to do research and not believe everything you read online on social media,” Marshall said.
Residents like Krinsky believe the 2019 levy is still generating enough funding to support the district.
"They have plenty of money right now, the problem is they're not spending it in the right spots,” Krinsky said.
But Marshall said their records show otherwise. She claimed they continue to win the auditor’s award with distinction every year for having clean audits.
"I have offered to sit down and have conversations with anybody that's willing to learn about the school district and how we're funded and what our spending looks like and all of those things, and people don't usually take me up on that,” Marshall said.
The operating levy, which would generate $20.8 million, would be used to maintain the district’s current programs. It would cost residents $172 for every $100,000 of appraised property value.
The $140 million in bond funding would cover upgrades to some of the older buildings in the district, updates to performance and art spaces as well as stadium spaces at all three high schools. It would cost residents $58 for every $100,000 of appraised value.
Marshall hopes residents do their own research before deciding how to vote.
"My job is just to educate the community and you know they have to make the decision for themselves with what they want for their local schools,” Marshall said.