Westerville Superintendent Advocates for Earned Income Tax to Fund Schools

In the heart of Ohio, Westerville City Schools face a critical financial crossroads. With traditional funding methods proving insufficient and property tax levies rejected by voters, the district’s leadership is advocating for an innovative approach: a 0.75% earned income tax levy. This proposal aims to diversify funding sources and secure $24 million in annual revenue, crucial for maintaining educational quality without overburdening residents with new property taxes.

Westerville City Schools Superintendent Angela Hamberg has taken center stage as the champion of this ballot issue, slated for a vote this November. The need for alternative funding became evident after last year’s failed attempt to pass a 4.9-mill property tax levy. This setback forced district officials to make $9 million in cuts, including 33 staff positions. However, these reductions only scratched the surface of financial challenges looming ahead.

The proposed earned income tax would apply solely to residents within the district boundaries, sparing pensioners and those with non-wage earnings like social security or unemployment benefits from its reach. This distinction underscores the district’s commitment to targeting revenue generation in a way that minimizes impact on retirees and non-working individuals living within Westerville.

The stakes are high: should voters reject this measure, further cuts could slash 124 positions, reduce bus services, and introduce fees for extracurricular activities like sports programs. Beyond these immediate impacts, essential programs at the elementary level, such as art, music, physical education, and libraries, face potential reductions or elimination.

Superintendent Hamberg has candidly shared the grim outlook should additional funding not be secured: Advanced Placement classes, college credit opportunities, and even the renowned International Baccalaureate program may see significant cutbacks. The district’s financial reserves—over \(100 million—are being depleted to maintain a budget of \)219 million, but these funds are also earmarked for maintaining essential assets.

The narrative is clear: Westerville City Schools stand at a pivotal moment where the future of educational services hangs in balance. Without this new revenue stream or alternative solutions, the district must consider scaling back offerings to match financial realities, an outcome that could have lasting implications on students’ preparedness for graduation and beyond.

As the community weighs its options, Hamberg emphasizes the need for innovative thinking in education funding—a sentiment echoed across school districts nationwide facing similar fiscal pressures. The Westerville ballot issue not only represents a local decision but also serves as a microcosm of broader challenges confronting public education systems today.

The coming months will be telling. Will Westerville voters embrace an earned income tax to ensure the continued vitality and competitiveness of their schools? Or will they face the difficult consequences of further educational cuts, reshaping the landscape for future generations?

For more detailed insights into this pressing issue, listen to the full discussion with Superintendent Angela Hamberg on All Sides with Amy Juravich hosted by WOSU 89.7 NPR News.

Original Article Source: WOSU Public Media