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April 6, 2026
From Mark Hensen,
Pickerington Board of Education Member

Beyond being a board member, this levy is also personal to me.  We moved here when our youngest daughter started Fifth grade.  She flourished in PLSD throughout high school.

She was involved in the band and other extracurricular activities.  She was academically challenged, supported, and mentored by great teachers and staff, and is now a college freshman doing very well because of the foundation PLSD provided.

I’ve been in our schools regularly over most of the last eight years and now see every day at Tussing just how much our staff and our parents are doing for our kids. My goal is to help provide the same foundation, experiences, and opportunities she had for the kids following her.  

PLSD is at a crossroads: either keep moving forward or start moving backward, like some of our neighboring suburbs.  

Do I want the high schools to significantly reduce elective options for our students?
No!  Many students will not go on to college, and some of these electives may well shape their future.

Do I want the high schools to eliminate on-campus College Credit Plus (CCP) classes for our students?  
No!  These courses also collectively save students and parents literally millions of dollars in college costs.

Do I want fewer students to be able to participate in life-building sports due to increased pay-to-play fees? 
No!

Do I want fewer students to be able to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities and the growth and development they bring, because the district can’t afford for bus drivers to wait hours and hours to bring them back from away events?
No!

Do I want district-funded field trips for students to places like COSI and the Ohio Statehouse canceled?
No!

Do I want to eliminate summer school for those kids who need the extra courses or experiences?
No!

Do I want the junior high and high schools to reduce the number of athletic teams and sports for our students?
No!

Do I want our programs, such as service learning and Global Scholars, potentially eliminated?
No!

Do I want our students to have far fewer classroom materials due to 25% across-the-board reductions?
No!

Do I want our students to have fewer recognition and celebration efforts due to 25% across- the-board reductions in our schools?
No!

Do I believe this is a moment that calls for shared sacrifice, necessary for two generations to support the next one and help them get a better start in life?
YES!!

Vote YES for our kids by May 5th!!

Previous letter from Board Member Mark Hensen regarding the May 5 Ballot Issue:
Mark Hensen “Use Your Voice for Good” – Pickerington Online