For Tara Haye, advocacy often begins close to home. The Sylvania Township mother of 10-year-old Isaac, a fourth grader at Stranahan Elementary School, spends her days substitute teaching, volunteering, and caring for her son. Many in the community first came to know Haye as the driving force behind an inclusive and accessible playground at Stranahan Elementary, completed last summer — a project rooted in her desire to ensure every child has a place to belong.

Now, she is channeling that same determination into a new role: chairing the committee supporting the Sylvania school levy on the May 5 ballot. “My family and I moved to Sylvania Township in 2019 because of the school district,” Haye said. “We know that strong schools create a strong community.”

For Haye, the campaign is deeply personal. Her son is non-speaking and communicates using an AAC device with a robust language system called PODD. During the COVID-19 shutdown, one Sylvania teacher made a lasting impact. She recalls how Eric Swindel created personalized communication videos for Isaac during preschool, quickly learning and embracing the communication system.

“He created a connection with my son that allowed him to flourish,” Haye said. “As the parent of a child with special needs, interactions like this don’t always exist, but when they do, they leave a lasting impression.”

That kind of care, she said, reflects the broader strength of Sylvania Schools — a district now asking voters to approve its first operating levy since 2016.

Thanks to nearly a decade of stretching existing dollars, the district has avoided seeking new operating funds until now. If approved, Issue 4 would generate approximately $18 million annually to support day-to-day operations, including instruction, student services, transportation, utilities and facility maintenance.

District leaders say the request comes as rising costs outpace revenue constrained by state funding formulas and property tax limits.

Despite operating with lower revenue per student than the state average, Sylvania Schools has maintained strong academic outcomes and still offers a wide range of opportunities for its students. The district has prioritized tutoring, literacy and enrichment, while offering more than 25 Advanced Placement courses and 14 career pathways across its high schools.

At Northview High School and Southview High School, students can pursue programs in fields such as medical technologies, aerospace, mechanical engineering, and firefighter/EMT training. More than 50 extracurricular activities and 25 varsity sports further shape student experiences.

Graduates point to these school opportunities as formative. Ben Tucker credited Southview’s AP offerings with preparing him for the academic rigor of the United States Naval Academy.

Cecile Schreidah traced her path to medical school at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine back to her participation in the Science Olympiad at Arbor Hills Junior High School.

And Alek West said the district’s med-tech career program helped prepare him for college and medical school, where he now studies while also serving as an assistant basketball coach at Northview.

Supporters argue those success stories underscore the importance of continued investment. “A well-funded school has the resources to recruit talented teachers and staff and offer dynamic opportunities for students,” Haye said.

She and other advocates also point to broader community impacts. Research consistently shows that strong school systems help stabilize and increase property values, making education funding not only a benefit for students but an investment in neighborhoods and long-term growth.

Still, Haye acknowledges that asking voters to approve new funding comes at a time when many households face rising costs of their own.

“While no one enjoys rising expenses, supporting Sylvania Schools by voting in favor of the 7.9 mill levy is ultimately an investment in our children, our grandchildren, our property values, and the future of Sylvania,” she said.

After years of careful financial management, district officials say the levy represents a necessary step to sustain programs and services that families rely on.

For Haye, the decision comes back to the same principle that fueled her playground project: making sure every child has the opportunity to succeed.

“Community pride and support are strong in Sylvania Schools,” she said. “We ask for the community’s continued support to keep our district strong. Please visit voteforsylvaniaschools.org for more information and vote for Issue 4 on May 5.”

Paid by the Committee for Sylvania’s Future