New Philadelphia resident urges support for school levy

My name is Kate McEwan, and I am a 25-year-old lifelong resident of New Philadelphia. I grew up here, surrounded by multiple generations of family, grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, and this community has shaped who I am.

I want to stay. I want to continue to build my career here, raise a family here, and give my children the same sense of belonging and promise I grew up with. But wanting to stay and being able to stay are two different things, and right now, our schools are a real part of that tension.

Our school buildings are aging, our resources continue to be stretched, and the gap between what our students need and what NPCS is currently able to provide is growing. This is a warning about what is happening. Families are noticing. Young people are leaving. And without change, that trend does not slow down.

The question is not whether our schools need investment, we know they do. The question is whether we seize this exact moment or let it pass. This levy puts $80 million in state funding, which we as residents of Ohio have already paid into, within our reach, funding that is on the table right now and will go to another community if we do not act.

Strong schools keep thriving families here. They attract employers, support property values and tell every young person weighing their options that New Philadelphia is worth staying for. I want to be one of those people.

This ideal solution is in front of us. Please vote yes and make sure our schools and our community have what we need to move forward.

Kate McEwan

New Philadelphia