To: Mayor Coleman
Columbus Leaders: Please Bring a Better School Levy Plan
Both yes and many no voters on the levy want to invest in great Columbus public schools—for our kids' and our community's future. But to pass the levy, we need a more honest campaign that responds to reasonable concerns with a strategic plan and accountability.
Why is this important?
City leaders should know there are a lot of us who 1) want to pay our fair share for a stronger community, 2) want to invest in the future, and 3) don't want to see cuts, but we need a better levy and process.
I voted yes for the levy, but a lot of great people I know who want to invest in Columbus public education voted no. I believe my neighbors and I had reasonable concerns that weren't fully addressed, like: lacking a strategic plan to measure success and ensure accountability, including money for charters, and wanting space for community input. People can understand this is complex - poverty is pervasive, state funding has fluctuated greatly, diverse interests mean compromise, etc. - but this past campaign didn't feel honest or accountable to voters. We can do better together!
I voted yes for the levy, but a lot of great people I know who want to invest in Columbus public education voted no. I believe my neighbors and I had reasonable concerns that weren't fully addressed, like: lacking a strategic plan to measure success and ensure accountability, including money for charters, and wanting space for community input. People can understand this is complex - poverty is pervasive, state funding has fluctuated greatly, diverse interests mean compromise, etc. - but this past campaign didn't feel honest or accountable to voters. We can do better together!