January 28, 2003
We have another election coming up and the school levy will once again be the most contentious issue on the ballot. Fear is overriding the facts and cool reason. We have lots of people shouting, "The school board is corrupt and evil! They're ripping you off! They're stealing and wasting your money! School teachers and administrators are getting rich while you can't afford health care!" In this atmosphere it's hard to really look at the issues.
From my perspective it boils down to this: cutting the Westerville schools to the state minimum requirements will signal the death of Westerville as a growing, prosperous, desirable community. Westerville has benefited in recent years from an influx of businesses and new homes and from its proximity to New Albany, Easton, and Polaris. What brings businesses and new residents, dollars spent in Westerville businesses, and keeps our property values rising? The quality of our schools.
Try this experiment: call a real estate agent and pose as a home buyer from out of the area interested in moving to central Ohio. Then ask them the #1 question all home buyers ask: "How are the schools?" The answer: "Well, Westerville is in a mess. They've just cut all of language, music, and art programs and barely meet the state minimum requirements. Let me show you some nice homes in New Albany, Upper Arlington, Dublin."
You want fear? Vote against the levy and the value of your home will plummet. Vote against the levy and those of us who can will put our children in private schools. Many will take the loss on their homes and move. Vote against the levy and no new businesses will move in (what if Banc One pulls out?). Welcome to the new Northland.
Randy Murray
Westerville resident
Be a Hero: Vote
11 years ago
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