February 6, 2025
From Pickerington School Board Member Charles E. Newman

To the Editor,

In moments like this, communities are tested, not just by the issues before them, but by how we choose to engage one another. As Pickerington considers the proposed income tax levy for our local schools, I believe this is a time that calls for leadership, reflection, and grace.

Too often, when opinions differ, reason gives way to rhetoric, and relationships are strained in the process. Yet even in disagreement, we must remember that we share a common goal: the well-being of our children and the future of our community. Before this levy discussion, we were neighbors. After it, we will still be neighbors.

Words can cut deep, but they will never be more powerful than our actions. Leadership, whether elected, appointed, or simply lived out, shows itself in moments like these. It shows up in how we speak, how we listen, and how we treat one another when we don’t see eye to eye.

This is not a call to tell anyone how to vote. It is a call to be informed, to stay engaged, and to participate fully in the democratic process we are blessed to have. That process works best when we take the time to listen to one another, seek truth, gather facts, and remain civil, even when emotions run high.

Pickerington is a destination district, not only because of the quality of our schools, but because of the quality of our people. The families whose children walk our hallways and the neighbors who support them help define who we are. Our strength has always been found in our sense of community.

As we move forward, let us lead with respect, speak with care, and remember that unity does not require uniformity. If we keep community at the center and compassion at the forefront, we will all be better for it.

Respectfully,
Charles E. Newman