Westerville Schools To Cut Marching Band, After School Athletics

School board members voted Monday on cuts to school programs even if voters approve a levy in March.

When Westerville City School students returned from winter break, more than 50 people had already lost their jobs, 10TV’s Jason Frazer reported.

The district warned people to be prepared for more changes if the March levy fails.

In an effort to close a $23 million budget gap, the Westerville City School Board voted unanimously to cut the marching band and after school athletics programs, Frazer reported.

The board also voted to cut non-titled reading intervention teachers and two magnet schools.

Many of the cuts would not take effect until next school year, Frazer reported.

“My fear is if we don’t pass this levy and they have to make all of these drastic cuts, what’s going to happen to the Westerville community?” parent Kristin Maynard said.

If the levy passes, board members said that activities like marching band, after school athletics and non-title reading intervention teachers could be restored.

Voters will head to the poles on March 6 to vote on the levy. The district said that even if the levy is passed, layoffs to cafeteria and recess helpers will become permanent.

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