Pickerington Online welcomes readers to submit Letters to the Editor. The opinions expressed in these letters are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or staff. Letters emailed to editor@pickeringtononline.com will be posted on both the organization’s website and social media within a few days of receipt, unless the contributor specifies a preferred publication time.
April 20, 2026
To the Editor:
Around this time last year, I stood on the floor of the Ohio Senate urging lawmakers to fully fund the Fair School Funding Plan. I knew that without adequate state support, Pickerington schools would face serious challenges. One year later, that’s exactly where we are.
I shared the story of my daughter’s first-grade class—nearly 30 students crammed in a single room. It was overcrowded and made learning more difficult, placing a heavy burden on both the students and the teacher. Quite simply, it was too much to ask of six- and seven-year-olds. Our kids deserve better.
While Violet Elementary has gotten a break with the opening of the early learning center, other schools have not been as lucky. At Pickerington Elementary, specials like art, music, and technology are taught on a mobile cart due to a lack of space and staff. Enrollment continues to grow, but resources are not keeping up.
Our community has not approved a new operating levy since 2011. In that time, enrollment has increased by 17 percent. Since fiscal year 2022, the district has relied on deficit spending just to maintain basic operations. This is not sustainable.
I understand that no one likes higher taxes. But even with this levy, Pickerington’s school taxes will remain lower than many similar districts, including Hilliard, Gahanna, Westerville, and Reynoldsburg.
This is ultimately about maintaining what we have and keeping the quality of education our students are used to, ensuring our schools can meet the needs of a growing community. I encourage voters to carefully consider the facts when making their decision on May 5.
Jackie Bahas
Pickerington parent
