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OCOS NEWS
POINTS TO PONDER
The four schools that will receive the most significant renovations were built in the 1960s. Their classrooms are smaller in size and the schools are lacking appropriate space to provide additional instructional services to students with specialized learning needs.
TOP QUOTES
“I think we've been very strategic in how we're using our dollars, how we utilized the federal dollars to not add an additional burden to our taxpayers.” - Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall
“The funds will also go towards improving some of the district's programs and renovating facilities that are widely used by the community.” - 10TV Reporter Kristen McFarland
POINTS TO PONDER
The state is reducing Westerville City Schools' funding for WCSD by over $4 million, so additional operating dollars are needed just to maintain current instructional programming and services. Instructional spaces in the four schools that will receive the greatest amount of work aren't conducive to how children are taught today and will be brought up to standards for a 21st century education.
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“How kids were taught back in the 1960s isn't the same as how kids are taught today. Education just looks different overall.”
- Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall
“The state view us as being wealthier, our local community...they push more of that burden down to the local community, so that's what we're dealing with now.” - Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall
POINTS TO PONDER
The district must request additional funding from the community due to inflationary cost increases; to meet increasing specialized service needs for students, such as providing support staff for English learners and a growing special education population; and to remain competitive with other area school systems as the district works to recruit and retain high quality staff.
If approved, the 1.66 mill bond portion of the levy will be structured so it does not increase property tax millage. This no-new-millage issue is possible due to current district bond millage that will soon expire and the use of resources advanced into a Capital Projects Fund upon voter approval of the ballot measure.
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“When our last ballot measure was approved in 2019, we anticipated being back on the ballot again in 2023. Fortunately, we have been able to push the need out another year, but we are now in a typical levy cycle that most central Ohio school districts experience given the way Ohio funds its public schools.” - Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall
“Given that HB920 limits growth on voted levies due to reduction factors, and the state funds schools based on the local community's ability to pay property taxes, districts such as ours unfortunately must return to the ballot every few years in order to continue current service levels to our school community. We’re required by state law to maintain a balanced budget and this levy will help us do that by generating approximately $20.8 million in annual operating revenue to continue current service levels and programs for our students.” - Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall
Latest financial forecast projects need for additional operating revenue; November 2024 ballot issue recommended (Source: WCSD)
POINTS TO PONDER
District officials are working to balance the use of available cash to pay for identified one-time needs with the amount to seek from voters to fund district operations and maintain instructional programming for students.
District officials strategically used federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to maintain a strong financial position during the Pandemic, despite the state’s continued underfunding of the district and expansion of Ohio’s voucher program during the same time period.
TOP QUOTES
"The State of Ohio has underfunded our district by $44.5 million over the last five fiscal years. At the same time, legislators expanded the state’s voucher program to use tax dollars approved by voters for their local public schools to pay for the private school tuition bills of even more families throughout Ohio.” - Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall
“If we proceed with a combined November 2024 ballot issue, it would be five years since we last requested any type of additional funding from the community. This would be the longest time we have been off the ballot since another five-year stretch between 1973 and 1978. If approved, the 4.9 mill operating portion of the issue would be the smallest continuing levy approved by voters since a 4.4 mill measure in 1973.” - Treasurer/CFO Nicole Marshall
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