Tatjana Brown – School Board Candidate

What made you decide this was the right time to run for the school board?
As a mother of three and the owner of a brick-and-mortar business in Uptown Westerville, I invest significant energy and time into both roles. Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to raising my children, who are now aged 17, 13, and 8; and to developing my business. Motherhood remains my top priority, especially during these busy and formative years, but I also feel that now is an ideal moment to strengthen my commitment to our community through deeper service and engagement. I hope to set an example of active citizenship and leadership for my children. Public education faces considerable challenges today, and its core values are deeply important to me. As the daughter of immigrants, I truly appreciate the opportunities public education can offer. Running for this position is my way of giving back to the community and advocating for the protection of public education and the opportunities every child deserves. I am a doer by nature. I felt that I had something to offer in this space, and I felt compelled to become a part of the solution. I will always work hard to preserve our schools and help make Westerville the best community for all families and future generations.

How do you want residents to feel about your approach to leadership?
When it comes to leadership, I’m all about listening closely, staying positive, and never losing sight of our mission. I always put what’s best for our students first when making decisions in our district. If I’m elected, of course, I want to make a difference, but most of all, I want to see real improvements for our kids in school. For me, leading with humanity and kindness isn’t just important; it’s at the core of who I am and how I approach this work. I tackle challenges with creativity, optimism, and an unwavering commitment to give my all.

Can you walk me through the moment you realized the funding issue was deeper than just numbers?
With so many changes and barriers over the last several years, I began digging into funding issues at the state level to truly understand what was happening not just in our district, but across Ohio. That process revealed the complexity behind the numbers and how deeply these issues impact our schools and students.

“Twenty years of state tax policy changes that have diminished state and local resources available for schools and local government funding, including a reduction in the share of local residential property taxes paid by the state and, separately, by businesses and public utilities, thus placing a greater burden on local residential and agricultural property owners.”
—Ohio Education Policy Institute, Fleeter, H., & Browning, G. (2023). Analysis of school funding in Ohio.

This shift in our tax structure, as well as the lack of full implementation of our Fair School Funding plan, has caused a drop in state-level funds, resulting in a larger portion being requested by the local community. There is a significant gap between the Fair School Funding plan and the portion that is being funded. While school funding should by no means be a partisan issue, we cannot neglect the fact that we are facing a major shift from the federal and state levels in regard to public education support. All of it interplays in this funding scenario.

What part of the levy rejection stood out to you most—and what do you think it reflects about community sentiment?
A recurring narrative involves comparing projected state enrollment figures before COVID with actual enrollment afterward, raising questions about whether the district should have built two additional schools. While the pandemic changed nearly every aspect of daily life and did cause a drop in enrollment, the decrease wasn’t significant enough to reduce services or space. The new schools also addressed serious overcrowding in our middle schools, a problem I experienced personally as a parent during that period. Overcrowded classrooms, especially at the middle school level, negatively impact learning and behavior.

I bring up enrollment and overcrowding because another common argument against the levy effort focuses on lower test scores. This is where I see a big disconnect: expecting student performance to rise while schools, students, and teachers are stretched to their limits by capacity issues simply isn’t realistic. We can’t attract new families or boost enrollment if we don’t provide an appealing school environment, and cutting funding and services will only make this harder to achieve.

What’s missing from these debates is consideration of the human aspect. Enrollment statistics and test scores are often discussed without acknowledging that those numbers represent real students with unique needs. When making decisions, we must evaluate not only the financial implications but also the true impact on students and their families. Funding our schools should be seen as an investment in our children and in the kind of community we want to build. We can’t enjoy the benefits of a vibrant, growing community unless we’re willing to support the pillars that sustain it.

How has that public response shaped your thinking about the district’s financial future?
I value the community leaders who support our school ballot issue as nonpartisan because that’s exactly what it is. Strong schools benefit everyone. While opinions differ and some groups oppose the ballot issue, I’ve also seen tremendous support from residents who understand that investing in kids and schools impacts more than classrooms. It affects property values, the business community, and the overall well-being of families.

The positive and supportive response from teachers, families, students, community leaders, and organizations like the Westerville Chamber of Commerce has ignited an even greater passion for me. We’ve come through an incredibly challenging period since COVID, and public education remains in a truly unstable place nationwide. That’s why we need to work harder and smarter to ensure that nearly 90% of Ohio kids who attend public schools continue to receive a high-quality education.

What’s something from your life or career that prepared you to face a challenge like this?
Starting a business is tough and unpredictable. When we opened Meza Wine Shop in 2008, we were immediately faced with a recession and a less developed area, all while operating with limited funds. Creativity and adaptability were essential to survive those early years. Then in 2020, the pandemic forced us to quickly pivot our business model, which led to a new era I’m incredibly proud of. These experiences taught me how to stay calm under pressure, think creatively, and lead through uncertainty, qualities I bring to this role.

I also come from a hardworking family that immigrated to the United States with very little. My parents put my brother and me through school and college, and they instilled in us a deep sense of determination and work ethic. That foundation of perseverance and grit continues to shape how I approach challenges today.

When you imagine earning the trust of voters who are skeptical of taxes, what does that look like to you?
This is a challenging task, especially when voters often judge based on alignment with their beliefs. I hope voters will assess my performance based on my actions rather than preconceived narratives.

From the start, I want to be crystal clear that every decision I make will reflect my dedication to putting the needs of kids first. We must do everything we can to provide the best educational opportunities and experiences possible, and to do so equitably for every child. I am here because I believe in the opportunities and dignity that public education provides. Our district is uniquely diverse, and we cannot ignore how deeply some parts of our school population would be affected if this ballot measure does not pass.

While I do support this ballot issue and recognize the need for additional funding, I also want voters to know that if elected, I will do the hard work of scrutinizing our budget and implementing best practices to serve not only our students and teachers, but the entire community. It will take a mindset of “we are all here for one another” from the community and from ourselves to move forward together.

What are some ways the board could improve to demonstrate transparency and foster community confidence?
We have a unique opportunity to build community trust through open communication and transparency. If elected, I will prioritize engaging with the community in creative and accessible ways, recognizing that not everyone can attend Monday board meetings. We should use multiple channels, such as social media, public forums, emails, and newsletters, to keep parents and community members informed about how funds are being used.

In addition, I believe we should present funding and budgeting information in a way that is straightforward and easy for the community to engage with. That means breaking down financial information into clear, digestible formats and offering explanations that help people see how decisions impact students, staff, and the broader community. Transparency is not just about making information available, but about making it accessible and meaningful.

This ongoing effort to communicate clearly and consistently will remain a priority for me moving forward.

What do you think people misunderstand most about how school funding works?
Many parents and community members find it challenging to understand the state and federal dynamics of funding for public education. Each state funds schools differently, and in Ohio, we’ve seen a steady decline in state support. While a fair funding plan exists, it has not been fully updated or implemented to meet today’s needs. As a result, local districts are left to shoulder more of the financial burden.

Requests for additional levies can understandably frustrate taxpayers, but this issue goes beyond our district. It reflects broader decisions at the state level, where reduced federal and state contributions shift more responsibility onto local communities.

This is a lot to take in, especially when most families are focused on getting kids to school, making dinner, and getting through the workday. We are all overwhelmed by the constant flow of information and misinformation. It takes real effort to sort it all through.

One common misconception is that school funding can be evaluated on a simple per-student basis. I once saw a comparison between our district’s per-pupil spending and that of a homeschooled student. But public schools serve a wide range of learners, including students with disabilities, English language learners, and children facing economic hardship. Our district is also required to meet state mandates, many of which are unfunded, and to provide services like transportation even for students who attend private or charter schools.

There are so many layers of what public schools are responsible for. To truly understand school funding, we must look at the full picture, including the services we are required to provide and the diverse needs of our students.

What’s one thing you think the board must protect at all costs—even in tight budgets?
The board must prioritize safeguarding student programs and services, especially those supporting students with special needs. Since our district faces varied challenges from economic instability to language barriers, it’s crucial to protect initiatives that most positively affect student outcomes. Regular evaluation of these programs is essential to demonstrate effective use of funding and tangible benefits for students. Continued long-term planning is another way that we can work to maximize our dollars and to ensure that we are spending efficiently.

How do you balance listening to financial concerns with fighting for what students need?
It’s essential to consider every financial choice from multiple perspectives. First, we must identify which services are mandated by the State to stay compliant. At the same time, we should evaluate how each decision will affect students and teachers, ensuring educators have what they need for student success. Finding ways to save money through strategic long-term planning is important, as is continuing to advocate for fair funding and public education at the State level. There’s no simple solution; ongoing review of spending, persistent advocacy, and clear communication between the board, district, and community are all necessary.

If you could change one part of the board’s process to reflect what you’ve learned from the community, what would it be?
I believe the current board has laid a strong foundation through thoughtful decisions, especially with the income tax ballot issue. They are parents who care deeply about the outcomes for all students, and that perspective matters. If elected, I hope to build on that foundation by helping strengthen the consistency and accessibility of communication. Community members are often overwhelmed by the volume and complexity of information. Making updates and decisions easier to find and understand through clear, multi-channel communication can help foster trust and transparency.

I also see a real opportunity to deepen engagement with local businesses and community organizations. These groups are ready to support our schools, and by collaborating with them, we can share the responsibility of creating a thriving educational environment. Whether it’s through mentorship programs, resource sharing, or joint initiatives, working together can make our efforts more sustainable and inclusive.

What result would make you feel like your time on the board was worth it?
If elected, I want students, parents, and staff to feel genuinely heard throughout my term. My goal is for anyone who brings concern to me to walk away knowing I listened with care and did my best to support them, regardless of the outcome. I hope to be a strong advocate and have a steady voice that helps move our district forward in meaningful ways.

Building on the thoughtful work of the current board, I want to help make decision-making more accessible and transparent. When people understand not just what decisions are being made, but why, it builds trust and strengthens our connection as a community.

Ultimately, if my time on the board leads to a positive impact on students and helps protect the opportunities available to them in Westerville, then it will all have been worth it. That includes working collaboratively with families, staff, businesses, and community organizations to share the responsibility of supporting our schools and shaping a future we can all be proud of.

What was not asked in this questionnaire that needs to be answered?
We would be remiss not to address how the growing privatization of education in Ohio impacts our public school districts. I do believe that every parent deserves the right to make the best educational choice for their child; however, it’s important to understand the differences between public and private systems. Private schools are not required to accept every student, which creates significant challenges when it comes to equity. They operate under a different set of rules than public schools, yet public districts are still responsible for providing transportation for nonpublic students and for funding that supports private school vouchers, and the funds for this are all drawn from Ohio’s K through 12 public education budget. My point in sharing this is to highlight the fact that there are just so many layers to funding in our public schools and that we have to look at all of those layers to understand the full scope.

Public schools, on the other hand, are required to educate every child, regardless of background, ability, or need. As services for diverse learners continue to expand while state funding declines, our district per pupil spend is higher than some districts who may be close to us in proximity, but are nothing like us when it comes to the makeup of our student body. We are servicing students with various needs from special education services to gifted services, English language learners and students who are facing economic disparity. We have to really remain in tune to how wonderfully diverse and unique our district is and how important it is to support all of our kids.