Why I Choose to Stand Up for Shaker Schools

Erin Stockdale (right) with her husband Kevin (left) and daughter Gabby (center).

I value the people who make Shaker Schools so special.

The operating levy on the ballot this November is different than the bond issue the community approved in 2023. Specifically, the bond issue passed two years ago primarily funded the renovation and reconstruction of aging district infrastructure, with a small amount earmarked for the day-to-day operating expenses of the new Ludlow preschool. The levy on the ballot in November, however, solely covers the district's day-to-day operating expenses for grades K-12, expenses the district has not sought additional funding for since the last levy the community approved in 2014. Without the passage of the current levy, the district will have to make significant cuts to its day-to-day expenses, 80% of which comprise staff salaries. As a mother of a middle schooler, I think of the incredible staff I have interacted with during my time volunteering in the school. It deeply upsets me thinking of which staff the district would be forced to let go. Will it be the security guard who greets me warmly at the front entrance, who looks me in the eye and tells me I don't have to worry about my baby when she is on duty? Will it be my daughter's 7th-grade math teacher who makes a point to tell me she knows my daughter can sometimes get overwhelmed and her door is always open if she needs help with her 8th-grade assignments? Please vote FOR to protect the people who are the heart of Shaker Schools. 

I value fiscal responsibility.

Prior to moving to Shaker in 2023 and subsequently choosing to leave the workforce to become a full-time stay-at-home parent, I spent over 15 years employed as an auditor for the federal government. While I am not an expert on the Shaker Schools' budget, I find it worth noting that:

• This is the first operating levy the district has sought in 11 years, meaning the district has continued to cover its day-to-day expenses, even as these expenses have increased year over year due to inflation, among other factors.

• The school board's Finance and Audit Committee, whose members include Shaker residents, unanimously recommended placing an operating levy on the November ballot in light of their review of the district's 5-year financial forecast.

• The district is already taking strategic actions to achieve cost savings over the next five years by identifying deficiencies in purchasing and using natural attrition to avoid layoffs.

Please vote FOR so that Shaker Schools can continue to meet the rising costs of its day-to-day expenses, thereby ensuring schools are appropriately staffed, buses are maintained, and the lights stay on. 

I value equity in education.

Let's face it — public education is under attack at both the state and federal levels. For example, Ohio legislators recently abandoned the Fair School Funding Plan (FSFP), which will not only result in nearly $3 billion less funding for school districts statewide, but also discards the most important premise of the plan — ensuring public school funding is distributed more equitably so that every student, regardless of where they live, has access to the resources necessary to provide for a quality education. At the federal level, the president issued an executive order to dismantle the national Department of education and proposed massive cuts to funding for the nation's public schools. More concerning yet, however, is the president's continued threats to withhold federal funding to any school district who refuses to uphold his assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion--values I believe are integral to the Shaker community. Please vote FOR so Shaker Schools can uphold these values and continue to provide the quality education all Shaker students deserve.

In addition to your vote, I ask that you consider making a financial gift to the Committee for Shaker Schools. Your contribution will help us spread the word about the upcoming levy, educate the Shaker community about why these funds are critical, and fight the spread of misinformation. If you have questions about the levy or would like to get involved with the campaign, you can email me at erin.l.stockdale@gmail.com.

Erin Stockdale is co-chair of the Stand Up for Shaker Schools campaign.