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August 28, 2026
Dear Independence Local Schools Community,
Welcome to the 2026-27 school year!
There is something special about the start of a new school year. We spend months planning, hiring, cleaning, and organizing, but nothing compares to seeing our students and staff walk back through our doors. The buildings come alive again, and I could not be more excited to get this year started.
As we begin this new year, we remain focused on our vision of Cultivating a Legacy of Excellence and on providing our students with the experiences, opportunities, relationships, and education that will prepare them for whatever comes next. We continue to focus on developing the whole child, creating valuable experiences and work, aligning our resources and knowledge, and making Independence Local Schools an inclusive and welcoming community.
This will also be an important year as we continue planning for the future of our district.
Protecting What We Have With a PI Levy Renewal
This November, our community will be asked to consider renewing our Permanent Improvement (PI) levy. This is a renewal, not a new tax, and these dollars are essential to maintaining the facilities and assets our community has already invested in.
PI funds allow us to address ongoing capital needs such as building repairs, roofs, HVAC, technology infrastructure, buses, safety and security improvements, equipment, and other long-term needs. Just as we plan for the future, we must continue to responsibly maintain what we have today.
In the coming months, we will share more information about the PI renewal, where these dollars go, and the role they play in the district's long-term financial planning.
Continuing Our Facilities Planning
Our facility needs have not gone away.
Following the outcome of the May ballot issue, the Board of Education and district leadership have spent time listening and evaluating where we go from here. We heard our community. Rather than immediately returning to the ballot with the same proposal, we are taking another look at the project, including its scope, design, cost, and location.
We plan to focus on renewing the PI levy this November while we continue working on a revised facilities plan for future consideration.
We are continuing our work with Garmann Miller to explore different options for addressing our aging primary and middle school facilities. We want to develop a plan that meets the educational needs of our students, makes good use of our existing resources, and is financially responsible. Just as importantly, we want the next plan to reflect what we have learned from our community.
That work will take time, and it should. This is a major decision for our schools and our community, and we want to get it right. As ideas become more developed, we will share them, ask for feedback, and make sure our families and residents understand what is being considered and why.
Looking Forward
A lot is happening at Independence Local Schools, and I am excited about where we are headed.
Those who know me know that I am passionate about our schools, and especially about what is possible for our students. I believe that passion matters. Our students deserve adults who believe in them, who are excited about their futures, and who are willing to work hard to help them succeed.
At the same time, our responsibility is to balance that passion with thoughtful planning, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and a willingness to listen. That will continue to guide our work throughout this year.
Most importantly, the beginning of a school year is about our students. It is about the kindergartner walking into school for the first time, the senior beginning their final year as a Blue Devil, and every student in between. It is about our teachers welcoming students into their classrooms, our coaches and advisors creating experiences beyond the school day, and our entire staff working together to ensure our students feel known, supported, challenged, and valued.
Thank you to our families for continuing to trust us with your children. Thank you to our staff for the tremendous work you have done to prepare for another year. And thank you to our community for your continued support of Independence Local Schools.
I look forward to another great year together and to continuing to Cultivate a Legacy of Excellence for today's students and the generations of Blue Devils who will follow them.
Welcome back, Independence!
Kelli Cogan
Superintendent
Independence Local Schools
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