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Heads up! Our parent watchdogs have scanned the upcoming agenda for Pickerington Local. We found 3 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| 🚨 HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 10) |
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New ‘Student Services’ Czar to Oversee DEI and Student Interventions
The board is voting to approve a new high-level administrative position, ‘Executive Director of Student Services’ (Item H.2). The job description is a roadmap for implementing controversial ideologies. It explicitly requires collaboration with the ‘Director of DEI’ to create ‘culturally responsive programming’ and a district-wide ‘Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).’ This role will oversee school counselors, health services, and special education, creating a powerful new bureaucracy focused on student intervention rather than academics.
Recommended Action Plan
PACK THE ROOM: This is a second reading and the final vote. Call Board President Clay Lopez at (614) 833-2110 and email Superintendent Charles Smialek at charles_smialek@plsd.us: ‘Vote NO on the job description for Executive Director of Student Services, Item H.2. We need administrators focused on academic excellence, not DEI and student intervention systems that bypass parents.’
💰 Taxpayer Impact: A new six-figure administrative salary to push an ideological agenda.
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| 🚨 HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
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Board Discussing Massive Tax Hike up to $49 Million Annually
Under ‘Discussion Only’ (Items I.1-I.5), the board is reviewing multiple resolutions to place a massive income and property tax increase on the November ballot, seeking up to $49 million in new annual revenue. The Treasurer’s report warns of a ‘6th consecutive year of negative cash flow.’ Before taxpayers are asked to foot this enormous bill, the board must explain exactly how this money will be spent. Will it fund core academics or be used to hire more administrators like the new DEI-focused ‘Executive Director of Student Services’ and expand invasive ‘student support’ programs?
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email Treasurer John Walsh at john_walsh@plsd.us and Superintendent Charles Smialek at charles_smialek@plsd.us: ‘Before you put a multi-million dollar tax levy on the ballot, we demand a detailed, line-item budget showing how new funds will be spent. We will not fund an expansion of DEI and social-emotional programming at the expense of academics.’
💰 Taxpayer Impact: Up to $49,392,656 annually in new taxes.
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| ⚠️ NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
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District Outsourcing Special Ed to External Behavioral Health Vendors
The board is approving multiple contracts with outside vendors like ‘I am Boundless’ and ‘New Story Schools’ to provide ‘educational and related services’ for special needs students (Item H.5). These contracts, costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars per student per year, focus on ‘person-centered behavioral interventions’ and ‘mental health services.’ While some students require intensive support, this trend of outsourcing to therapeutic providers raises questions about oversight, accountability, and the types of behavioral modification techniques being used on children.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK QUESTIONS: Email Superintendent Charles Smialek at charles_smialek@plsd.us: ‘Regarding the special education contracts in Item H.5, what specific ‘person-centered behavioral interventions’ do these vendors use? What oversight does the district have to ensure these methods align with parental values and consent, especially concerning mental and behavioral health?’
💰 Taxpayer Impact: Over $100,000 per year for a single student in some cases (e.g., $13,579/month).
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