An appeal from Yvonne Hays

From the community meeting Oct 22, 2023

You are encouraged to vote yes in support of Mogadore’s School Levy. Operating funds are used for expenses such as staff salaries, benefits, utilities, supplies and transportation, and are essential to maintain and continuously improve Mogadore Schools’ high-quality academic programming, extracurricular activities, student wellness and safety, and athletics. As much as we support Mogadore academics and athletics, our passion for the district came because of the support we have received for the special education programming.

Mogadore has a very personal connection for my family and me. My husband’s grandfather, Paul Neal, owned Neal’s Market here in Mogadore long ago. They owned a home in Mogadore and after my husband’s grandmother passed away, he purchased her home on Holcomb Ave. Years later, we married and moved into that home. We remodeled it and made it our own. In 2007 we had our first child who was born with significant special needs. Our daughter, Carsen, was born with an extremely rare chromosome abnormality, multiple heart defects, severe growth restriction and was nonverbal. When she defied the odds and survived her early years of life, it was time for her to start school and Mogadore was our hope; they did not let us down!

We began her educational journey at the Summit County Preschool housed at O.H. Somers. It was a great year. As Carsen completed preschool, she transitioned to the elementary school. We spent numerous years in an inclusive setting in the least restrictive environment with Mrs. Eckart in Kindergarten. It was there that students were taught that Carsen is just like her peers despite their outward differences. Carsen had an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) which allowed for her to receive special education services and therapies as well as spend time with her typical developing peers in Kindergarten. Carsen was receiving and continues to receive therapies including: speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even music therapy! Music therapy was a therapy that we were participating in outside of school, but because the value of the therapy was so beneficial to her development, Ann Phillips, special education coordinator, made sure that it was a therapy available for Carsen during the school day too. Since then, staffing changes were made but Carsn’s needs are still being met. We knew that we found a place where our daughter was safe, loved and thriving so we decided to build a home in Mogadore and stay in the community. Despite her age, Carsen continues to be serviced by the school district in a setting that is appropriate and safe for her. She has been included in wonderful inclusion classrooms such as Mrs. Popio and currently Mrs.Lutz. She still receives her IEP minutes with Mrs. Condor who has been her Intervention Specialist for almost her entire elementary career. Having Carsen in an inclusion class is a win-win; she teaches her typically developing peers life skills such as kindness and patience and in return they show her that she is loved, welcomed and accepted.

Carsen is currently 16 years old. The thing that sets Mogadore Local Schools apart from other districts is that other districts would continue to move Carsen along like clockwork. Sending her onward to the next grade level even when her peers continue to physically grow and she does not. This is where Mogadore differs; Carsen is kept at an educational level that is appropriate for both her growth and her development. At her age, she should be chronologically placed at Mogadore High School. That environment would not be safe for her due to her petite size and growth restriction. The fact that she attends a district that does what is safe and ideal for her learning and development is a huge peace of mind. For that, we are so thankful and continue to be grateful for the ways the district has worked with us to give our daughter a free and appropriate education.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about how strong schools make for a strong community. Imagine the trust we have to have to send our nonverbal special needs child to school each day. We know that the Mogadore Police Department, specifically Chief Higgins and Officer Berkheimer have made it a priority to get to know who Carsen is, who we are as a family, and where we live. We feel safe knowing that should there ever be an emergency, that the police as well as the Superintendent, Mr. Knapp and elementary principal, Mrs. Fournier, know our daughter and our family.

In closing, I have been an educator for 27 years. I know that keeping Mogadore strong includes keeping the schools strong. The teachers are there because they care about their students. They want what is best for them socially, emotionally and academically. Please help keep Mogadore Schools and community strong by voting YES on Nov. 7. It truly takes a village.

Respectfully, Yvonne Hays