My Thoughts on the Levy

Over the past months, I’ve been asked many times: “What are your thoughts on the levy?” I believe this question deserves a clear, honest answer — and I’d like to share with you where I stand and why I think this is a smart, if challenging, investment in our shared future.

Our Shared Values: Support + Accountability

First, I want to be clear: I know most of my neighbors want strong schools. Even if you don’t have children in the system, you benefit from good schools: they help maintain property values, attract businesses, and strengthen civic pride.

But support should not be blind. Taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and tangible outcomes when we choose to invest more in our schools. This must be a guiding principle if the levy passes.

What This Levy Actually Proposes

The school’s master facilities plan website has some great details, but here are a few important things we know so far based on district materials and local reporting:

• The levy on the Nov. 4 ballot combines a bond issue of 4.99 mills plus a 0.95 mill permanent improvement levy, all working together to support the Master Facilities Plan.

• If passed, the district would reduce its number of school buildings from 21 to 16 — eliminating older, inefficient facilities and building new ones where needed.

• The plan aims to modernize, relieve overcrowding (especially K-6), reduce building transitions (moving to K–5, 6–8, 9–12 bands), and capture savings in operations that can be redirected to academics and programs.

• Importantly, collections on the new taxes won’t begin until 2029, allowing existing bonds to phase out first — so the net new burden is less than what the ballot language might initially suggest.

• The district claims that the new burden will amount to a 2.66-mill increase, which translates roughly to $93.10 per $100,000 of home value annually.

In short: it’s a long-term plan, not an immediate tax shock — but it is meaningful.

Why I Choose to Vote “Yes”

Given all that, here’s why I support the levy:

1. Our facilities are aging and overcrowded. Class sizes in many elementary schools are exceeding 27–30, limiting flexibility and quality.

2. We can’t afford to “kick the can down the road.” If we do nothing, maintenance and operational costs will only rise, and the need for a more expensive levy will become inevitable. This is a case where building new will be more productive than renovating in the future.

3. Smart consolidation can free up dollars for teaching. If we reduce building footprints, retire inefficient properties, and modernize others, more district funds can flow into instruction, technology, and supports.

4. State backing helps share the burden. Lakota stands to receive state help (32% match via the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission) to co-fund parts of the investment and ease the impact on local taxpayers.

5. I bring experience and a listener’s mindset. If elected, I will hold the district to commitments of transparency: regular reporting, public oversight, and metrics showing whether we’re getting what we paid for.

What I Understand & Will Fight For

I know this plan isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t affect everyone equally. Concerns I hear — and will take seriously — include:

• Impact on seniors and homeowners with fixed income. Any tax increase must be framed carefully, and we should consider relief or phased impacts.

• Geographic equity. Some proposed building closures have people worried about travel times, classroom disruption, or losing neighborhood schools.

• Execution risk. Large construction and demolition plans carry cost overruns and delays. I believe the board needs to insist on strong contracts, performance benchmarks, and public audits.

If I am privileged to serve, I will ask tough questions at each step:

• Show me metrics (student outcomes, class size changes, facility savings)

• Show me quarterly public financials

• Hold open forums

• Be willing to course correct

The Consequences of “No”

If voters reject the levy, we do not erase the challenges ahead. We simply delay them. Overcrowded classes, building deterioration, and limited program options will remain. At some point, the cost of “catching up” may be far higher.

In a growing district, with increasing diversity, we must plan responsibly. Whether it passes or fails, I feel my experience and ability to listen to and work with stakeholders from different backgrounds and perspectives will be valuable for the community to have on the board.

My Ask to You

• Research and understand the facilities master plan, and don’t just rely on headlines, and then if you are willing remember to Vote “Yes” on the levy — to help us build for the future, not just patch the past.

• Hold us accountable. Demand regular, transparent updates. Attend board meetings. Ask the hard questions.

• Talk with your neighbors. Many may not know what’s on the ballot — schools impact all of us.

• If you disagree with the levy, let this be the start of a conversation - not the end. We have real issues to address, and will need community input and participation to ensure we can continue the tradition of excellence in education at Lakota.

This levy is not a gift to administrators or a blank check. It’s a vote of confidence in our children’s futures and in the promise of this community. I believe we can do both: invest wisely and demand accountability.

If you’d like to sit down and talk through the numbers, building plans, or oversight mechanisms, I’d welcome the conversation.