Tax Vote To Decide Future of Westerville Schools
Candidates Answer Questions About Their Campaigns
Westerville Schools Turn to Income Tax After Levy Failures
Westerville City Schools is asking voters on Tuesday to approve a 0.75 percent earned income tax to fund classroom operations, staffing, and key academic programs. The proposal, which would replace the district’s traditional reliance on property tax levies, comes one year after voters rejected both a 4.9-mill operating levy and a separate bond issue in November 2024.
Following those defeats, the Board of Education approved budget reductions for the 2025–26 school year, which included the elimination of approximately 33 positions and several program cutbacks.
Superintendent Angela S. Hamberg stated that the proposed income tax is necessary to maintain the district’s long-standing tradition of academic excellence.
“This tax issue is essential to protecting the educational excellence our community has built over many decades,” Hamberg said. “Without new revenue, we cannot maintain the student programs, staffing, and services our students need and deserve.”
As the election approaches, the campaign over the tax proposal has moved beyond public meetings and candidate forums into a heated online arena. On Facebook, residents are trading statistics, anecdotes, and accusations in a steady stream of posts and comments. Supporters highlight the district’s strong academic record and argue that new revenue is necessary to sustain its programs. Opponents question spending priorities and point to reserve balances as evidence that additional taxes are unnecessary.
Both sides often rely on selective data and emotionally charged claims, leaving many voters unsure what to believe. The debate highlights a growing trend in local politics, where social media engagement often replaces in-depth research into public records, financial audits, or state funding reports. For voters trying to decide whether to approve the measure, the online back-and-forth provides more noise than clarity.
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Westerville enters this debate with a strong academic record. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s 2024 report card, released in September, gave the district an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, placing it among the top quarter of districts statewide. The district earned four stars in achievement, graduation rate, early literacy, college and career readiness, and gap closing, and three stars in progress.
Board President Kristy Meyer said those results show the district continues to deliver strong outcomes despite flat revenue and rising expenses.
“We’re doing more with less each year—and that can’t continue indefinitely,” Meyer said.
The proposed earned income tax would apply only to wages and self‑employment income, excluding retirement benefits, pensions, and investment earnings. District officials estimate it would generate about $24.3 million annually, starting in 2026.
Supporters say the measure would stabilize operations through 2030 while protecting retirees and homeowners from higher property‑tax increases.
“This isn’t about expansion,” Meyer said. “It’s about keeping what we have.”
District leaders contend that Westerville’s financial challenges stem from long-standing flaws in Ohio’s school funding system. Property taxes remain the primary source of local income, but two state laws—House Bill 920 and House Bill 126—limit growth.
HB 920 automatically reduces effective millage when property values rise, keeping collections flat.
HB 126, passed in 2022, restricts school districts from challenging the valuation of commercial properties.
These limits mean that local revenue does not keep pace with inflation, even as costs increase for salaries, transportation, and student services.
The Fair School Funding Plan, adopted in 2021, aimed to improve equity among districts but caps the funding that wealthier districts, such as Westerville, receive under the state formula. Approximately 40 percent of Westerville’s $150 million annual operating budget is derived from state funding, a proportion that has remained roughly constant despite enrollment and cost pressures.
Meanwhile, the legislature has expanded funding for private- and charter-school programs, including EdChoice vouchers and charter-facility reimbursements, drawing from the same overall state education budget used for public school districts.
At the same time, Westerville must fulfill state‑mandated transportation obligations for community and private schools, busing thousands of students daily or paying stipends when service isn’t practical. Transportation costs, including fuel, vehicle maintenance, and driver recruitment, continue to rise faster than state reimbursements.
Beyond state‑required core classes, Westerville funds more than 150 elective and enrichment courses, from world languages and fine arts to journalism, robotics, and Advanced Placement options. These locally funded programs contribute to the district’s strong college‑ and career‑readiness scores and are among the first to face cuts if budgets tighten further.
“There may be some nice‑to‑have things that we just won’t do,” Hamberg said.
Opponents of the income tax argue that the district’s problem lies not in its revenue but in spending priorities. Westerville resident Doug Krinsky, a frequent critic of district tax measures, said officials are asking for more than necessary.
“They have plenty of money right now,” Krinsky said. “The problem is they’re not spending it in the right spots.”
Critics point to the district’s roughly $180–190 million total cash balance, though that figure includes restricted accounts for capital or debt service. The general fund balance, which supports day-to-day operations, is approximately half that amount and is forecasted to decline sharply by 2028 without new revenue.
Opponents also warn that an income‑based tax could hit working families harder than property owners and potentially lead landlords to raise rents. Some also question district credibility after the 2024 levy defeat, noting that officials later identified millions in cost savings.
However, district leaders emphasize that the current fund balance reflects years of conservative budgeting and that reserves are projected to fall into deficit within three years without additional funding.
Westerville’s financial challenges mirror a broader problem in Ohio’s school‑finance system. The state’s heavy reliance on local property taxes has faced multiple court challenges, beginning with DeRolph v. Ohio (1997), which found the system to be inequitable. Although reforms have followed, the Ohio Supreme Court ended oversight in the early 2000s, leaving the fundamental structure in place.
The Fair School Funding Plan was intended to move Ohio toward a more balanced approach. However, its phased rollout and limited funding have left many districts still dependent on local voter approval to maintain services.
The November 2025 election will determine whether Westerville adopts a new funding model or continues relying on property taxes. Supporters view the earned income tax as a fairer way to sustain schools without further burdening homeowners. Opponents call it unnecessary and mistimed amid higher living costs.
Either way, the vote will shape the district’s future. Westerville’s four‑star performance and strong graduation rates reflect decades of investment and community partnership. The question now is whether that record of success can endure under a system that many agree no longer adds up.
Read School Board Candidates’ Responses To The Westerville News Questionnaire
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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Great clear-eyed explanation. This retiree hopes that Westerville continues to support its excellent school system.