Letter to the Editor

Board member asking for support

Sunday, August 24, 2008

To the Editor,

Dear Fellow Citizens of Clay County,

I am writing this letter to ask for your support in signing the YELLOW petition which says YES to our current building program.

There is much misinformation circulating about this project and what it will accomplish.

There will always be differences of opinion on how and what should be done.

Most of our elementary buildings are in need of repair and upgrade.

My own child currently attends one such CC corporation elementary school.

All of our school buildings are in need of security upgrades to meet the demands of the 21st century world.

This building program addresses these needs within a $26 million frame that will be paid off in 8 and a half years.

The planning of this project has been in the making for over 2 years.

It has involved input from taxpayers, construction professionals, corporation staff, parents and corporation citizens.

Yet there is still much misinformation about the project.

However, there is an easy way to see what this project is about.

Any taxpayer or voter can call the corporation Central Office 443-4461 and ask to have a tour of the Jackson Township Elementary School.

What the building project will do is bring our other elementary schools up to the same physical level/standard as this school.

No more.

No less.

When you see Jackson Township School you will find it is a nice facility with nothing elaborate.

JT is older than any of the schools we are planning to remodel.

Also remember that all our corporation school buildings will get a security vestibule that will allow for much greater control of who is in the buildings.

When you see the YELLOW petitions there is also a yellow explanation sheet that tells what each building upgrade will be and discusses the security issues.

I would like to urge my fellow Clay County Citizens to sign the YELLOW petition to allow this project to go forward.

The signing period runs from now until Sept. 8, 2008.

You may contact any of the elementary PTO organizations or go on line at: http://improveour-schoolsnow.googlepages.com/home to find out where you can sign the YELLOW-YES petition.

Thank you for you time.

Sincerely,

Brian Atkinson,

Clay Community

School Board member,

Brazil