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May 3 - 10, 2006
Schools' Issue 4 cruises to easy win
By SCOTT TAKAC
The wave of community support Issue 4 was riding crested in a tidal wave at the polls Tuesday and landed in a big win for the Westerville City School District.
The 10.3-mill continuing property tax levy -- buoyed by a highly organized campaign and record fundraising -- passed by more than 63-37 percent -- a margin of more than 5,000 votes out of about 20,000 votes cast -- according to incomplete, unofficial results from the Franklin and Delaware counties boards of elections.
Incomplete results late Tuesday had the issue winning in Franklin County 62 percent to 38 percent, with 67 of 72 precincts reporting. The Delaware County Board of Elections in final, unofficial results reported levy passing by an even wider margin -- 71 percent to 29 percent.
Donated pizza, soft drinks and bottled water were plentiful in the commons at Westerville South High School as Issue 4 backers watched the returns come in Tuesday night. And so were smiles by district officials, teachers and levy supporters.
"We're feeling good," said Kristi Robbins, who was elected to the school board the same night the district's November ballot issue failed by a wide margin. "I feel like its almost like you can sense the community breathing a collective sigh of relief tonight."
In exchange for their support, the board has promised voters they won't see another operating levy for four years. That last time that happened in Westerville was 1982.
For Kevin Hoffman, in his fifth year on the school board, the break from campaigning for a ballot issue will be his first since being elected.
"Maybe we can focus on quality education," Hoffman said. "We can really focus on education, do the things we've been commissioned to do here. I think it's a great statement about our community, about what's important."
"This will involve a window of financial stability and we can focus on student learning and assure that all students are achieving at a high level," said district Superintendent George Tombaugh.
The next time district residents will vote on a school-related ballot issue will be 2009. At that time they will be asked to replace a 2.7-mill permanent improvement levy that has passed every five years since it first went on the ballot in 1989.
Passage of Issue 4 means district residents will pay $315 per year $100,000 of home value next year, or $184 more per $100,000 of home value than they are paying now on an expiring 5-mill issue.
It also means sports and all other extracurriculars are off the chopping block.
So are bus routes, many of which would have seen elimination or increased distances walking distances to stops.
Those are two of a long list of cuts -- amounting to $2.3 million from the annual operating budget for the next school year -- that officials said would have come in July, after $450,440 already was cut from the remainder of this year's budget.
The levy represents the replacement of a 5-mill, two-year levy voters approved in 2003 as a "stop-gap" measure and 5.3-mills of new revenue. District Treasurer Scott Gooding estimated if will mean $95.4 million for the district over the next four years.
Officials have earmarked 83 percent of that revenue for maintaining current programs, enrollment growth and keeping up with inflation.
Beginning with the next school year, students at all grade levels are expected to start feeling the benefits of most of the remaining revenue in areas that have lagged for the last three years. In that time $15 million and 111 full-time positions have been eliminated.
With Issue 4's passage a total of 145 full-time positions will added over the next four years, meaning more rigorous math and science courses in the classroom. It will also see middle schoolers spending more time in the classroom instead of study halls.
Westerville's lagging technology program will be brought up to 21st century speed with the addition of 15 full-time positions and 17 more dedicated math and reading intervention.
Grade schools will see more teachers in grades with the highest growth levels and class sizes. Special education classes will see 36 full-time equivalents added over the next four years to keep the district's program in line with state requirements.
Revenue will also be used to beef up at risk intervention, improve health and safety and enhance district-wide communication and building support services.
March 22 - 29, 2006
Fuel cell is off-line
High natural gas prices doom city's experiment in 'green energy;' $1.2 million device now sits idle.
By ANGIE SCHMITT
On Nov. 2, 2004, Westerville City Council appropriated $238,000 to purchase a fuel cell for the Westerville Electric Division. The decision made it possible to utilize a $839,000 grant from the state's Third Frontier Project and propelled the city into a statewide leadership role in the cutting-edge "clean energy" technology.
But a little more than a year later, the technology that made Westerville an "industry pioneer," according to Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, has been mothballed.
The cost for the now off-line fuel cell totaled about $1.2 million.
About the size of a bus, the fuel cell is located at the city's Electric Substation 2 at the southwest corner of McCorkle Boulevard and Maxtown Road.
There it ties into the city's electrical distribution system and when in operation, the cell produces 250 kilowatts of energy -- enough to power approximately 180 homes on the city power grid.
Westerville owns its own electrical distribution system but purchases the power it sends across it, from American Electric Power and other sources through AMP-Ohio, a power cooperative of Ohio's municipal electrical systems. Most of that power is from AEP and coal-generated.
The problem with the city fuel cell is not a technical glitch or inavailability of qualified technicians, as might be expected with the first fuel cell to generate power at a municipality in Ohio.
It is the soaring cost of natural gas.
Westerville's fuel cell operates like a large battery, creating power through a chemical reaction that relies on natural gas for fuel. Because the process does not involve combustion, its biproduct is nothing more than carbon dioxide and water.
Natural gas price increases have made operating the fuel cell cost-prohibitive, said Westerville Electrical Operations Manager Steve Garnick. At present, it simply costs more to create energy using the cell than to buy it from AEP or other sources.
"Our concern is that we don't want to place any added burden on Westerville power consumers," said Andy Boatright, electric utility manager. "This is a portion of our budget that is optional, and we decided to mitigate the expense."
A state grant the Electric Division received expired after 13 months, in December. Since that time the the fuel cell has been dormant.
Merle Madrid, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Development, said the department was pleased with the progress the Westerville Electric Division made with the fuel cell before the grant expired.
"We're anticipating that there will be a positive outcome," said Madrid.
Now the city is looking for a new source of assistance to reincarnate the fuel cell.
"We're looking to see if there is an entity, perhaps a university, that would be interested in partnering with us from a research perspective," said Garnick.
Garnick said there has been some interest in the proposal.
The Westerville Electric Division's interest in the fuel cell originally was motivated in part by the division's desire to explore the promising alternative-energy source.
"The circumstances were not the same when we received the grant as they are today," Garnick said. "We had hoped to learn from this but we wanted costs to remain close to the rate we sell the electricity from."
During the 13 months the fuel cell was in operation the system experienced two failures and was inoperable for eight to 12 weeks, said Boatright.
"It hasn't all been a rosy experience," said Boatright. "One thing about fuel cells is that it is a very immature technology.
"We've proven that."
Despite the tribulations experienced by the Westerville Electric Division, the state of Ohio continues to support fuel cell technology trials, through other grants.
"There are a myriad of different applications of fuel cell technology," said Madrid. "We're trying to be sure Ohio's on the cutting edge of this technology when it breaks, not playing catch-up."
Planning commission
Casto plans retail complex at Polaris and Africa Road
Thursday, March 2, 2006
By LIN RICE
ThisWeek Staff Writer
Plans for a major retail development, a sports medicine and orthopedic center and a veterinary clinic with an "upscale" animal spa all got the go-ahead last week from the Westerville Planning Commission.
The Casto Group wants to develop a 91,640-square-foot retail complex at the northwest corner of Africa Road and Polaris Parkway.
Charlie Fraas, a representative for Casto Group, told ThisWeek he could not disclose the names or types of businesses that could go in at the retail center.
"There aren't any that we can announce publicly at this time, although we are working with various tenants," he said last week.
Planning commission members questioned how this site would be different from others found throughout Franklin County.
"How am I going to know I'm in Westerville, not on Avery Road?" member Brian Szuch asked at the planning commission's Feb. 22 meeting.
"This is going to have a different feel from what we're used to," said Mark Ford, of Ford and Associates Architects Inc., the company designing the complex. "There's a very large grade differential at this site. The center is raised nine feet above Polaris."
"From a design standpoint, this will probably by far be the best shopping center on Polaris," commission member Larry Jenkins said.
Now that the planning commission has approved the final development plan for the retail center, engineering and building plans must be submitted to Westerville's planning department. Following review by the engineering and building departments, the applicant can then break ground.
City planning administrator Richard Kight said the time frame for this depends on how long it will take the applicant to come up with plans.
"I can say our review process for each, which can run concurrently, takes about 30 days," he said.
The 23,000-square-foot, two-story medical office building to be built at 584 County Line Road West will be associated with Children's Hospital and will be located next to Children's urgent care facility in Westerville.
The applicant for the plan is the Daimler Group. Kight said all that's now needed for the process to continue is for the planning department to approve construction drawings and engineering plans to be submitted by the applicant.
"Once those are approved, they could start construction," he said. "Those architectural plans are pretty hefty, so it could be awhile until they get to that point."
Also at its Feb. 22 meeting, the planning commission approved construction of a new veterinary clinic on the site of an old Bob Evans restaurant at 69 Huber Village Blvd.
The building currently on the site will be torn down and replaced by a 14,500-square-foot structure, which will hold a veterinary clinic and a canine day care service.
"Renovating the old building didn't work functionally," said architect Patrick Manley of the Manley Architecture Group, which is designing the clinic. "We have come to a satisfactory mutual agreement with the commission."
The agreement includes a provision that all animal activities must remain inside. It also indicates a possible addition of more green space at the northern corner of the site.
"We consider the use appropriate, and we are happy to see the renovation of that site," said commission member Craig Treneff.
Nikki Lang, chief operating officer of hospitality services for the Westerville Veterinary Clinic, said the indoor-only stipulation will not be a problem.
"In our building plans, we are including trench drains with metal grates over them and will flush hot water through the drains every 15 minutes," she said. "They will be in all areas where the dogs eliminate."
Lang said the Westerville Veterinary Clinic will retain its name, and the center will also have a kennel and an animal spa, called RuffHouse.
"It will have an upscale feel without an upscale price," she said.
The spa will include televisions, radios, heat and air conditioning for each six-by-six foot room. Each will be connected to an exercise pen, some of which may feature a doggie pool. There will also be a grooming service for dogs and cats, where owners can take their pets in for a pedicure.
Once opened, the building will be available to be reserved on weekends for groups that want to experience an indoor dog park setting, Lang said. She said she expects the facility to open in November.
Hundreds mourn, honor Jake Spann
News & Public Opinion photos by Dan Trittschuh
Family members and associates of U.S. Marine Pfc. Jacob Spann gather on the stage at Grace Brethren Church as Lance Cpl. Sean Salser speaks during the service last Wednesday morning. A 2003 Westerville North graduate, Spann was killed while serving in Iraq Feb. 6.
By SCOTT TAKAC
Cirrus clouds streaked blue skies last Wednesday morning on a late winter's day that might have been perfect but for the sense of loss.
The loss was palpable in the words and demeanor of 10 who knew him personally -- and after they said goodbyes in eulogies -- in more than 700 who appreciated all they had missed.
"A young man that many of us barely knew," the Rev. Jim Custer, senior pastor at Westerville's Grace Brethren Church described him last Wednesday. "Yet the choices and manner of his death compel us to come together."
"Jacob Daniel Spann would probably be amazed today to see how many lives he has touched," Custer said, after seven Marines accompanied Spann's flag-covered casket to the front of the Grace Brethren sanctuary.
Family members followed behind the casket of Pfc. Spann, a Marine since January 2005, assigned to a 1st Battalion expeditionary force based in Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The 2003 Westerville North High School graduate died Feb. 6 in Hit, Iraq, with two other Marines, when their Humvee rolled over an Iraqi improvised explosive device. He was 21.
The brilliance of the day, particularly a sunrise hours before the 10 a.m. funeral last Wednesday, was not lost on close family friend John Strauss, a self-described "simple man," who spoke at the service.
Spann's senior photo from North's 2003 yearbook.
"This morning, for whatever reason ... was the most beautiful sunrise I had seen all winter," said Strauss. He credited the bright day to Pfc. Spann vowing to "to take away the burden of this pain and sorrow of my family today, so they can rest."
Strauss' and nine other recollections of Pfc. Spann -- most from family members -- saw many in the eclectic crowd alternately laugh and cry with the ones who knew him best.
They described a Marine who put his family and his "soul mate" Abby Van Huffel above all else, as a devoted friend and a protector of his teenage sisters, Sonni and Sarah.
A farewell letter penned by Van Huffel, read by Pfc. Spann's brother Chris Spann, spoke of a bond that started with a kiss in the pouring rain at age 14, and grew into a love that was expected to see the couple marry in the spring.
"We fought, which many of you can attest to -- I apologize for the broken doors," Van Huffel wrote. "It started out as puppy love but grew into true love over time. You were the most sincere and genuine guy I've ever known. You would lay your heart down for those you love ... and you did."
A picture emerged of a young man who faced the lapses in maturity and direction that many his age are prone to. But unlike many, he recognized and vowed to remedy them by becoming a Marine. Strauss said Pfc. Spann achieved what he sought with that decision.
"I no longer saw the boy ... but a polished young man with a sense of pride and honor that I'd never seen before," Strauss said. "I felt finally that the restless young man was at peace with himself. That's the last time I saw him."
"It was no surprise that Jake had to become a Marine; he had to be the best and Marines are that," said his mother Deborah Nealon, who ended, "We love you baby Jake."
A funeral procession of about 150 vehicles followed the Pfc. Spann's hearse from Grace Brethren, across intersections made clear by Westerville police on the way to Kingswood Memorial Park cemetery on U.S. Route 23.
Pfc. Spann's mother Deborah Nealon is comforted by son Chris Spann and daughter Sarah Spann during the service.
At graveside, seven Marines fired their M-16s three times each, another played Taps on a silver bugle and another presented Mrs. Nealon the flag that had covered her son's silver casket.
At the end of the services, about 100 red, white and blue balloons were released in unison into the mostly blue skies.
Moments earlier, Custer told the mourners that -- unlike the balloons which marked his passing -- they had a chance to live on and be re-united with Pfc. Spann.
"I did not know Jake personally and have listened today," Custer said. "I realize that I missed something sizeable. But that's OK, because I realize I've got forever to meet him in the Lord's presence."
Long after the services ended, most of the hundreds gathered remained, as if trying to imagine what that time might be like.
District sets sights on improving programs in 2006
Thursday, January 5, 2006
By MACKENZIE WHITE
ThisWeek Staff Writer
George Tombaugh
Westerville City Schools Superintendent George Tombaugh said that while funding is one major focus for 2006, so is programming.
"We want to continue to improve student achievement," he said.
Westerville is faced with the task of keeping course offerings and educational opportunities at a level that will let students compete with those from other districts even when it doesn't have the funding to do so.
"We do a lot with very little," treasurer Scott Gooding said.
The district has great student achievement scores, he said, yet is spending less per student than the state average.
"At some point," he said, when the district no longer has the finances to provide the necessary services, "our student achievement's going to drop."
Since the failure of the 6.5-mill levy in November, school board members and Tombaugh have spoken repeatedly of the need to keep the schools competitive in order to prepare students for college and careers.
Yet without the necessary funding, they said, the district has had to make more cuts.
The first round was slated to take effect on New Year's Day.
It was all too familiar for some school board members, parents and students. The district made $14.5-million in cuts in 2002 and 2003.
Dr. Nancy Nestor-Baker, who retired last month, called the district's current situation "deja vu."
"I wish there were (solutions), because we would have explored them," Gooding said.
When a district foresees an impending deficit, he said, it has two choices: increase revenue, which means passing a levy, or decrease expenses, which means budget reductions.
Some in the community have accused the district of not communicating sufficiently with the public.
Gooding has often noted the district's efforts toward better communication, including the Popular Annual Financial Report, which breaks down the district's finances in an easy-to-read format.
The district has taken other steps, and will continue to in 2006, he said.
One of those is a funding workshop slated for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Westerville North High School's media center.
Gooding also plans to continue the "budget academies" he started last year, and hopes to put video from such sessions online so that those who can't attend the meetings can log on and listen to the presentations.
"We're trying to do things using technology .... to get the message out to people," he said. "The more education that occurs the more understanding people have."
The goal? Gooding said he wants the district's staff members to understand the finances well enough to discuss them at a moment's notice in the grocery store, or with parents during conferences.
Gooding hopes that residents with questions will ask them.
"If I were someone who questioned the administration or the district, I would ask. I would want to know the answers," he said. "Get involved, you know, ask the question. We're here ... We want to answer those questions."
On the programming side, Tombaugh said the district plans to begin assessing students on a weekly basis, particularly in math, "so we can provide either intervention or accelerate student learning."
The intent, he said, is to "personalize the learning process for students."
In addition to improving math achievement "across the district," Tombaugh said he feels reading is another subject in which the district should improve.
"We'll be looking at continuing to expand adolescent literacy in our middle schools and high schools," he said.
Tombaugh also said he plans to encourage students to engage in a more rigorous college preparatory curriculum in high school so they are better prepared when they graduate.
The schools, meanwhile, will face one test of their performance in February.
Tombaugh said the district has applied for the state's Ohio Award for Excellence, and next month a team will come to the district to examine how well it meets a 50-page set of criteria for performance excellence.
Tombaugh called the visit a way for the district to examine itself: It will show in what areas it must improve and what things it's doing well.
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