Superintendent Angie Hamburg told the school board Tuesday that the district has prepared a $20 million reduction plan that would take effect if next weeks earned-income tax proposal fails, and public commenters used the meeting to press competing narratives about district finances.

"We would be looking at around 10 positions administratively . . . 64 at the elementary level . . . 31 at the middle school" and 19 at the high school under the proposed reductions, Hamburg said, describing an estimated 124 positions and about $12.3 million tied to personnel reductions. The district also outlined revenue and program changes that would together reach the $20 million target: increased pay-to-play fees (middle-school per-sport fee to $350; high-school per-sport $500), elimination of summer school, possible elimination of all-day kindergarten (the district currently operates tuition-based full-day kindergarten), and reductions to contracted services, field trips and supplemental contracts.

Hamburg said the proposed cuts would be implemented only if the levy fails and that administration had identified the items to preserve transparency for the community. "If we're not successful next week, those would be the types of conversations that we would kind of flush out the details as we move through the next few months," she said.

Board members and administrators discussed particulars: shortening the student day ("I would guess probably about an hour," Hamburg said when asked about how much shorter middle-school days might become), impact on working families and aftercare providers (YMCA), and the history of program restorations after prior levy failures. Trustees emphasized potential impacts to core and enrichment offerings and to MTSS coaching capacity if positions are removed.

During the public-comment period, speakers were almost entirely focused on the levy. Pro-levy commenters framed the tax as necessary to preserve programs and staff. Rebecca Gaffney, an English teacher at Westerville North and a communications co-chair for the Westerville Education Association, said a yes vote would stabilize staffing and keep programs such as music, athletics and advanced coursework. "We have reached the limit of what we can cut without fundamentally damaging the quality of education we provide," she said.

Other speakers disputed the districts framing of finances. Doug Krinsky, an opponent of the levy who urged a no vote, said the district has increased staffing while enrollment has declined and argued the board should use reserves rather than seek new ongoing tax revenue. "The board is sitting on over $100,000,000 in cash reserves," Krinsky said. The districts business officer reported a September unencumbered general fund balance of $141.6 million during the business report.

Supporters of the levy included the Westerville Parent Council, which formally endorsed the November ballot issue during the meeting and noted its network of parent groups, volunteers and scholarships. Local business and real-estate leaders also spoke in favor, saying well-funded schools support community property values.

The board did not take policy votes on the levy at the meeting. Trustees did approve routine business items by roll call, including amended minutes (Sept. 22 and Oct. 13), the September financial report, a then-and-now purchase order for a prom deposit, the personnel consent agenda, donations (including a proposed $55,000 gym renovation gift), two out-of-state overnight field trips and an amended early-graduation candidate.

Votes at a glance

- Approve amended minutes of Sept. 22, 2025: approved by roll-call (recorded "Yes" from board members who voted).
- Approve minutes of Oct. 13, 2025: approved by roll-call.
- Approve September financial report and investments: approved by roll-call.
- Approve then-and-now purchase order (Renaissance Columbus Hotel prom deposit): approved by roll-call.
- Approve consent agenda items 8.018.08 (personnel, hires, retirements): approved by roll-call.
- Accept donations (including $55,000 Linden Middle School gym renovation gift, projected): approved by roll-call.
- Approve out-of-state overnight trips (Cocoa Beach baseball, middle-school New York City trip): approved by roll-call.
- Approve amended early-graduation candidate for Central High School: approved by roll-call.

The board will meet next in regular session on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.