Who’s Voting YES on 4A
Teachers, parents, students, local organizations and elected leaders across Summit County are voting YES on 4A. Here’s why.Former District Leaders Endorse 4A
We urge Summit County voters to support 4A, the Mill Levy Override. We have each had the opportunity to serve the Summit School District as former superintendents or presidents of the Board of Education. Those roles gave us a close up view of the decisions required to maintain a high quality school system and prepare students for an ever changing future.
We believe that supporting 4A is an investment in the future of Summit County. It will provide our schools with additional resources to meet current challenges, support students, and prepare for what lies ahead.
A successful school district is much more than buildings, textbooks, and technology. It depends on having qualified people in classrooms, counselors available to students, and staff who can provide the programs and services that our students need. Recruiting and keeping those employees is particularly difficult in a community where housing and living costs are high. The funding from 4A will help the district strengthen its ability to compete for and retain the talented professionals needed in our schools.
As former leaders in the Summit School District, we also understand that public funding carries a responsibility for thoughtful planning and responsible use. A locally approved, dedicated revenue source such as 4A gives the district greater ability to plan ahead rather than relying solely on unpredictable sources of funding.
Summit County has invested in its schools for generations, and that commitment has helped make this an exceptional place to live and work. The students in our classrooms today will shape Summit County in the years ahead. They will become the employees, business owners, community leaders, parents, and public servants who sustain our communities.
We encourage voters to vote YES on 4A. When we invest in our teachers, we invest in our students, and a stronger community.
-Kerry Buhler, former Superintendent
-Dr. Mille Hamner, former Superintendent
-Dr. Bonnie Ward, former President of the Board of Education
-Sue Wilcox, former President of the Board of Education
-Margaret Carlson, former President of the Board of Education
Dylan Roberts
“Summit County’s future depends on the investments we make in our schools today. As a father, I want the best for our kids — but as a state senator, I know strong schools benefit every resident, whether you have children in school or not.”
Bonnie Ward
Speaker Julie McCluskie
“Students learn and succeed with high quality teachers and staff — our kids deserve the best!”
“When we invest in teachers, we are investing directly in our students and our community.”
Voices from Our Classrooms
“Competitive salaries help keep great educators in our schools and reduce staff turnover. When experienced teachers and staff stay, students benefit from stronger relationships, consistency, and a better learning environment.”
— Naomi McMahon, Attendance Secretary, Summit Middle School
“Our job as educators isn’t to tell every kid which road to take. Our job is to give them enough roads to choose from.”
— Oakley Van Oss, Construction Tech & Dual Language Teacher, Summit High School
“Every student who walks into our schools has different strengths and needs. Having the right staff and resources allows us to meet students where they are and give each of them the support they need to succeed.”
— Kendra Carpenter, Principal, Dillon Valley Elementary
“Better funding would be the boost we need in Summit School District to continue moving in the direction we all know is possible. Funding starts with putting the right people in the right place.”
— Doug Blake, Co-Principal, Summit High School
“I have worked at SHS for 19 years and most years we hire a new math teacher.”
— Kim Phipps, Math Teacher, Summit High School, and parent of SMS students
“The difference between a class of 25 students and a class of 30 students is profoundly significant.”
— Shauna Zimmerman, Math Teacher, Summit High School
“Better funding would mean that my caseload of English Language Development students would get smaller, so that I could get to know each student better and support them with more individualized plans.”
— Gabriel Bram, English Language Development Teacher, Summit High School
“Better funding would lead to hiring pools with more than two candidates.”
— Joe Kassay, History Teacher, Summit High School
“Better funding would mean that my colleagues and I can continue to live in Summit County, teach at Summit School District and send my daughters through the district.”
— DJ Pollert, 8th Grade Language Arts & Humanities Teacher
“Better funding would help our school district retain high quality teachers in our district, reduce staff turnover, and improve the quality of all students’ educational experience.”
— Matt Smith, 8th Grade Science Teacher, Summit Middle School
“My students would have special ed teachers with smaller caseloads to better meet their needs.”
— Jen Mortensen, STEM Teacher, Silverthorne Elementary
“Better funding would allow for qualified teachers to work in our district and stay in our district.”
— Maya Chiodo, 4th Grade Teacher, Silverthorne Elementary
“We would have more staff to meet the diverse needs of students.”
— Melissa Cook, 4th Grade Teacher, Breckenridge Elementary
“I would love to see my colleagues stay in the County and purchase homes!”
— Hollyanna Bates, First Grade Teacher, Dillon Valley Elementary
“It would mean smaller intervention groups and in-classroom support for students who have academic needs.”
— Celesté Teichmiller, Special Education, Dillon Valley Elementary
“Better quality of life and better education.”
— Adrian Covington, Permanent Building Substitute, Dillon Valley Elementary