Heckelman's Last Board Meeting - Reorganizing Policy Statements
Dwight Heckelman’s final act on the Westerville School Board was adjourning his last meeting.
He was recognized for his service during the meeting, with several district leaders thanking him for stepping into the role during a critical stretch for the district, including the successful passage of a new income tax levy that secured a steady source of operating funds after multiple failed attempts.
Board President Kristy Meyer opened the meeting by reading a prepared statement on behalf of the board. She noted that Heckelman was appointed in April to fill the vacancy left by Tracy Davidson’s resignation, following a special meeting and candidate interviews. He chose not to run in the most recent election, concluding his service at the end of the year.
Meyer said Heckelman brought a student-centered focus to board discussions and decisions, provided guidance to sustain strong, responsive instructional programs, and supported the district’s long-term fiscal stability. She highlighted his role as chair of the communications subcommittee for the Yes for Westerville Schools campaign, calling his leadership essential to the successful passage of the November 2025 ballot issue. Meyer said that work helped preserve academic programs, arts, extracurricular activities, and staffing levels needed to maintain safe and supportive learning environments.
Chief Personnel and Policy Officer Scott Reeves, filling in for Superintendent Angela S. Hamberg due to illness, read a statement thanking Heckelman for his service. Hamberg expressed regret that she could not attend his final meeting, thanked him for his work on behalf of students, and wished him well, adding that she hoped to see him at school plays or other community events.
In her closing remarks, board member Louise Valentine thanked Heckelman for stepping up to fill the vacancy, saying that while some board members make their impact over many years, others are “the exact right person at the exact right time.” She said his service helped improve the district during a challenging period.
School Policy Reorganization and Unification
The policy items discussed during the meeting included reorganizing and consolidating the district’s employment and anti-harassment policies.
The board reviewed first readings on a series of policy updates that would eliminate older standalone nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policies and replace them with a unified, modern set. Several current policies are proposed for rescission or removal, with their language integrated into revised versions that merge nondiscrimination, equal employment opportunity, and anti-harassment provisions into fewer documents, ensuring consistent application across employee groups.
The proposed changes also include removing separate policies on genetic information discrimination for employees, which would then be incorporated into the broader nondiscrimination framework.
All of the proposed policy changes were introduced as first readings, meaning no final decisions were made at this meeting. District administrators stated that the revisions aim to simplify the policy structure, remove duplication, and ensure the language aligns with current legal standards before bringing it back to the board for future approval.
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