By MICHELLE KUSS-CYBULA

I’m deeply grateful to our #OneOakHarbor community for your overwhelming support of our renewal levy. With final certification from the county, we celebrate not just a historic 62% approval — the highest in nearly two decades — but also the highest turnout from our families and staff in many years. Your trust and commitment mean the world to us, and this success is a testament to the strength of our community’s dedication to our students’ future.

At the heart of this success is our community’s commitment to the values that shape our Strategic Plan. Your investment in education is an investment in our students, our community, and the shared vision we have for the future of Oak Harbor Public Schools.

This levy renewal allows us to continue investing in what our community prioritizes — high-quality education, student support services, and opportunities that prepare our children for the future. Whether through academics, extracurriculars, or essential mental health and safety initiatives, this funding ensures our students can thrive in a safe and supportive learning community.

Throughout this process, we worked together to unpack the complexities of taxes and school funding by engaging in meaningful conversations to ensure a shared understanding of how these vital resources support our students. I deeply appreciate those who asked thoughtful questions and collaborated with us to navigate this important topic.

Passing the levy was an important step, but our work is far from over. To ensure every student has the resources they need, we must continue advocating for legislators to fully fund education at the state level. This means engaging with lawmakers, sharing the real impact of underfunding, and pushing for lasting solutions.

At the same time, we remain committed to educating our community about school funding and our budget process. By fostering open conversations, sharing important information, and engaging with our community, we can build a stronger understanding of school funding. Together, we can raise awareness, encourage community involvement, and work toward sustainable solutions that prioritize the future of our schools

Your partnership is vital to the continued success of Oak Harbor Public Schools and we encourage you to stay engaged and get involved. Together, we are shaping a bright future for our students and our community. This is what #OneOakHarbor is all about.

Michelle Kuss-Cybula, Ed.D. is the superintendent of Oak Harbor Public Schools.