From Classrooms to Community: School Board Members Discuss the Path Ahead for Worthington
School Board Candidate Q&A
As Worthington continues to grow and evolve, collaboration between our schools and city leadership is more important than ever. Development decisions, including housing, zoning, and tax incentives, directly impact both the educational experience of our students and the long-term health of our community.
Building Worthington’s Future invited the Worthington School Board candidates to share their perspectives on how the schools can work alongside City Council to ensure that development supports both educational excellence and a thriving, sustainable community.
The responses below are published exactly as submitted by each candidate and have not been edited or altered in any way.
Below are their responses to two key questions focused on growth, partnership, and the future of Worthington.
Question One: Development decisions, including tax incentives, often affect both the city’s revenue and school funding. How would you approach these situations to balance the needs of the schools with the city’s goals, and what role should the school board play in fostering collaboration with City Council?
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I will preface my answers by stating I am answering these questions as a community member and board candidate. These are my own opinions; we have not discussed these concepts as a board.
I think the best way to approach the discussion of tax incentives is to be sure the school district treasurer is at the table when various alternatives are discussed with City Council and developers. If he is included and has a good understanding, he is clearly able to explain the ideas to the board. As a board member, I want to be open to new ideas and to help foster collaboration with City Council.
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I recognize that the city's economic health and our schools' financial stability are interconnected. When we work together on development decisions, we can strengthen both. As a school board member, I am committed to making our schools and our students my top priority. I also recognize that a thriving city helps create that strong foundation we need. When our city is doing well, it brings families here and builds a tax base that benefits everyone. When thinking about new development opportunities, I understand that tax incentives and similar programs can help attract the businesses we want in our community. As we work together on these opportunities, what's critical to me is that we maintain at least our current revenue levels from the properties being considered, protecting the district's financial position, while ideally seeing incremental growth over time. That way, the district benefits too, while still making projects work for developers. Additionally, I think there are two bigger priorities we need to keep in mind as we're working with the city on development: First, we need a healthy mix of both businesses and housing in our development. That balance really matters because it helps take some of the property tax pressure off individual homeowners while making sure our community has what it needs to thrive. Second, we need different types of housing at various price points. That opens our district up to more families and addresses the housing challenges we're seeing throughout the region. The school board shouldn't just wait and react to what comes our way. I believe the district needs to work hand in hand with the city, and school board members should build real partnerships with city council members on these decisions. That means getting involved early, sharing what we're seeing with enrollment and our facilities, and helping shape these conversations before projects are already decided. This really isn't about choosing between schools and development. It's about working together to make decisions that serve our students and strengthen our whole community.
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Development decisions should never be viewed in isolation; they directly shape both our city’s vitality and our schools’ ability to serve families well. When incentives are considered, I believe the goal should be to attract development that benefits the entire Worthington ecosystem: strong businesses, sustainable revenue, and excellent schools.
The relationship between the School Board and City Council is integral to achieving that balance. Open communication and collaboration between the two are a must to ensure that every decision supports both fiscal health and educational excellence. As a School Board member, I would approach these situations with transparency, partnership, and shared data. The Board should have an active seat at the table when tax abatements or large-scale developments are proposed, ensuring decisions are made with a full understanding of their long-term impact on school funding and student outcomes. Strengthening communication and trust between the School Board and City Council allows both entities to work toward solutions that sustain our financial health while prioritizing the heart of our community—our neighbors, students, and educators.
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I am proud of the collaborative approach the school district has taken with the City of Worthington on all decisions, including development matters. I am committed to continuing this approach. Our Treasurer, TJ Cusick, works closely with City leadership, and both parties maintain a respectful partnership focused on the community's best interests.
I am also committed to ensuring the school board maintains a respectful and open dialogue with City Council and continues utilizing a liaison who works closely with City Council and reports back to the full board on pertinent matters.
Question Two: As our region considers new approaches to growth and zoning, how do you think the schools can be constructive partners with the City Council to make sure development supports both educational excellence and a thriving community?
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The best way for the schools to be constructive partners with City Council is to be involved in the tax incentive process and understand the goals, and the long-term benefits of various projects. We have always looked at each tax incentive request individually and evaluated each on the value it brings to the city and community. The schools can be part of the message that development means the total community property value is higher, which eventually helps lessen the millage everyone must pay, helping to maintain educational excellence.
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This is something I'm really passionate about because I think strong communication and collaboration between the schools and city is essential for our community's future.
As a district, we consistently engage in enrollment projections. When we're tracking where growth is happening and what we're anticipating for the district overall, as well as for specific schools, we can share that information with City Council. And it works both ways. When we understand the city's priorities and future development plans, we can make our projections more accurate. That kind of ongoing dialogue helps everyone plan better, whether it's about school capacity, infrastructure, or community resources.
When we're aligned on development planning, it directly supports strong outcomes for our students. Good planning ensures our schools have the capacity and resources to serve growing neighborhoods well. And when development strengthens our tax base sustainably, it allows us to invest in the programs, staff, and facilities that support student achievement. A diverse housing mix is also critical - it brings families with different experiences and perspectives, which enriches our students' education, while supporting the overall housing needs across the region and making sure our district and our city stay accessible to many different types of families.
For me, being a constructive partner means staying engaged, sharing information openly, and building those relationships before we're in the middle of a big decision. I've already been working on developing relationships with city leaders and understanding the city's vision, because I believe that foundation is essential. I see this as one of my strengths. I genuinely enjoy bringing people together and finding collaborative solutions, and I think that's exactly what we need between the school board and City Council to create a community where both our schools and our city can thrive.
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Our schools and city share the same goal: a thriving, future-ready Worthington. As our region grows and explores new zoning approaches, I believe the School Board can play a proactive role by sharing insight into enrollment trends, workforce needs, and the types of housing that help attract and retain top educational talent and families.
We can be constructive partners by aligning school planning with city development, whether that means coordinating on infrastructure, forecasting population shifts, or advocating for housing that supports the teachers, staff, and families who make Worthington strong. Collaboration ensures that growth enhances both educational excellence and community vitality, keeping Worthington competitive, connected, and true to its values.
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The school district should continue to be a constructive partner with City Council by ensuring that any district spaces replaced or revived serve both educational and community needs. Regarding non-district spaces, the district can work closely with the City to manage anticipated enrollment increases, explore corporate internship and externship opportunities, and identify other partnership avenues that benefit the broader community.
Our schools and our city are deeply connected. Decisions made in one area often shape the outcomes in the other. By engaging in open dialogue and thoughtful collaboration, Worthington can continue building a community that serves students, families, and residents alike.
We encourage all residents to read the candidates’ full responses, reflect on their vision for the future, and make an informed decision at the polls this November.
