Listening Sessions Provide Valuable Community Perspectives

Dear Pickerington Local Schools Community,

Thank you for engaging with us during our June and July Listening Sessions! More than 100 residents representing many different connections to our District took the time to share their perspectives. Your willingness to openly engage in thoughtful, honest conversations is inspiring, and greatly appreciated. 

Below is a summary of the feedback we received during our in-person Listening Sessions. We will keep our online Google Form open through Monday, July 6, and will incorporate those responses into the final summary. From there, we will identify specific improvements we can make based on your responses, and what we heard.  

Thank you so much for your willingness to invest your time in us! These Listening Sessions have made us a stronger organization!

Summary: 

Key Priorities

• Simplify and centralize communication. Residents want one consistent location for information, short digestible updates, FAQs, weekly summaries, and clear talking points rather than information scattered across multiple platforms.
• Increase transparency with plain-language explanations. Better explain school finances, funding sources, budget priorities, tax impacts, growth, state funding, and why specific decisions are made using graphics, calculators, and simple examples.
• Use multiple communication channels. Do not rely on Facebook. Expand outreach through direct mail, text messages, email subscriptions, websites, libraries, senior centers, churches, neighborhood groups, community events, billboards, and translated materials.
• Reach audiences beyond parents. Place greater emphasis on seniors, non-parent taxpayers, English learner families, community organizations, real estate professionals, youth organizations, and alumni.
• Lead with positive student stories while being honest about challenges. Residents responded to personal stories, classroom examples, student voices, and demonstrations of district value more than statistics alone.

Improving Support for Future Ballot Issues

• Clearly define what is being protected and what will be cut. Be specific about phased reductions, the rationale behind priorities, and follow through on announced reductions to build credibility.
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Continue highlighting efficiencies, previous cost-saving measures, audits, operational improvements, and how funds are currently spent before requesting additional revenue.
• Rebuild trust through listening and responsiveness. Continue community listening sessions, publicly share what was learned, explain how feedback changed future proposals, and maintain a respectful, non-threatening tone.
• Strengthen the case for investment. Better connect strong schools to property values, student opportunities, workforce development, community quality of life, and long-term economic health.

Feedback on Future Funding Requests

• Many participants viewed the 1.25% permanent income tax as too large, even among those supportive of the District.
• Common alternatives included 0.5%–1.0%, often with a fixed term or expiration date to provide accountability.
• Residents emphasized the need for a clear explanation of exactly how requested funds would be used, why the amount is necessary, and how future financial sustainability will be achieved.

Charlie
Superintendent, Pickerington Local School District