Kayla Jess April 3 2026
Seven years ago, my son was born at just 24 weeks, weighing just over one pound. He is our surviving twin, a boy who has fought for every breath and every milestone since the moment he entered this world. His life has been defined by resilience, marked by multiple brain surgeries, chronic complications and more hospitalizations than any child should ever have to endure.
Because of his premature birth, my son lives with cerebral palsy. He is non-verbal, requires full assistance with his daily activities and relies on adaptive equipment to navigate his world. To some, his challenges might seem impassable. But to the teachers and professionals at Good Samaritan, he is a student with limitless potential.
At this school, my son isn’t just “cared for,” he is taught. The educators here possess a level of expertise that simply cannot be found elsewhere. Because of their dedication, he has grown by leaps and bounds. He has gained functional independence and academic progress that we once feared were impossible. This school provides his therapies, his social circle and his sense of belonging.
However, this lifeline is now at risk. If the upcoming levy does not pass, this school faces the very real threat of closure. For my son, and for many children like him, there is no “Plan B.” There is no other facility equipped to handle his complex needs while simultaneously pushing him to succeed. Closing these doors wouldn’t just be a budget cut; it would be the removal of the foundation my son stands on.
I am asking all of you to look past the numbers on a ballot and see the faces of the children they impact. Voting “Yes” on this levy is a vote for the dignity, education and future of our community’s most vulnerable — and most courageous — students.
Please don’t let my son’s progress stop here. Please help us keep these doors open.
Kayla Jesse
rural Hicksville
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