Myself, my late husband, our four children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren are proud graduates and are attending Lexington Local Schools.
At 90 years old, I watched our community change and grow over many decades. I believe our schools are one of the most important investments we can make in its future.
That is why I support both the renewal and the income tax levy for our schools.
My support for our schools is also deeply personal. My husband Bob Whitney served as a school board member in the Lexington Local Schools for over 60 years. This feat allowed Bob to be the longest serving school board member in the State of Ohio.
Through his years of service, I saw firsthand the dedication required to provide children with a strong education. I witnessed how much our schools mean to students, families, educators and the entire community.
That experience is why I support both levies on the ballot: the renewal levy and the income tax levy. The renewal levy continues existing funding for our schools; it is not a new tax. The income tax levy is separate and is based on earned income, not retirement income.
I understand that taxes are a concern, especially for families working hard to make ends meet. But strong schools benefit everyone by giving children the education and opportunity they need to become productive workers, parents and community members.
As a retiree, I also want to emphasize that the income tax will not affect my retirement income. While everyone’s circumstances are different, I believe those of us who can support our schools should do so.
Our children deserve a good education, and our community is stronger when our schools are strong. For these reasons I will vote YES on both school levies, and I hope my fellow residents will learn about each levy and consider doing the same.
Sincerely,
Carole Sue Whitney
Lexington, Ohio