At Monday night's school board meeting, Westerville City Schools' district leadership proposed a myriad of reductions to shore up finances should a 0.75% earned income tax issue fail in November.
More than 100 teaching and specialist positions are on the chopping block.
The district could cut as many as 44 elementary school positions, including jobs in art, music and physical education, plus as many as 20 more positions in elementary magnet programs.
Around 30 middle school teaching positions are at risk, in subjects ranging from math and science to reading and social studies. The district could also cut middle school electives like music, art and world languages and shorten the student day to keep students from choosing study hall periods.
At the high school level, around 20 positions may be removed. The district said that would lead to fewer advanced placement (AP) and college credit plus program (CCP) and that the International Baccalaureate (IB) program would be phased out.
The district would also cut up to 10 administrative positions and reduce support staff in specialized learning programs, technology support, building maintenance and other positions.
The district plans to get rid of at least 14 bus routes. Leaders said that would lead to longer ride times for students and further distances between bus stops.
The district is also considering eliminating summer school, field trips and all-day kindergarten.
Westerville City Schools, like many other districts across the state, faces financial strain as inflation drives up prices and it must comply with unfunded state mandates.
The school district said the earned income tax would generate $24.3 million a year to preserve staffing levels, class sizes and student academic programming. It would cost Westerville residents $0.75 for every $100 they earn, but would not apply to retirement income or social security.
Last year, voters rejected a 4.9-mill levy for operations and a bond issue that would have paid to renovate four schools and make other improvements.
The district said it has already reduced operational expenses by about $4.8 million. That included getting rid of 33 administrative, teaching and support staff positions.
School board members on Monday passed a resolution acknowledging the further proposed cuts.
