Dear
Thanks to all who participated in our March 2004 Mine
+ 9 Campaign. Your support made a difference and is much appeciated!
Dear Friend,
I am writing you today as a parent and taxpayer in the Westerville City
School District. As I'm sure you are
aware, the school district is struggling with their funding and financial situation, as are most school districts across Ohio.
As you are also aware, we are fortunate to be part of the Westerville
City School District as it is one of the top school
districts in the State of Ohio. Its
the 9th largest district in the state and continues to develop well-rounded, high achieving students, athletes and teachers. We, as a district, continue to score high on the State of Ohio measures of school
districts, while maintaining a cost per student ratio that is in the bottom quarter of the State...talk about value for the
dollar!!
Over the past year, the school board has tried to secure the funding needed
to maintain excellence in our district, but the levies have been defeated at the ballot box.
I chalk up those defeats to a number of causes:
-
Misinformed people who have been led to believe the school district builds
extravagant buildings, pays inflated salaries and wastes money on the latest program du jour.
-
People who are frustrated with the State funding (or lack thereof) of education
and somehow want to send a message to the State to get their attention.
-
Individuals on fixed incomes, concerned over the continual eroding of their
earning power through increases in healthcare, insurance and taxes.
All of these reasons have contributed to the failure of the past two levies
and have both some validity and inaccuracy to them. However, I believe the number
one reason for the situation we currently find ourselves in is VOTER APATHY!
Turnout during past elections, when levies were on the ballot, school board
candidates and city council seats were up for election, voter turnout was in the 20-30% range.
That, to me, is alarming! There are so many situations in our lives that
we have little control over. However, decisions regarding who will run your city,
oversee your school district, or educate your or your friend's/neighbor's children, why is it that so few of us make the effort
to influence those key decisions? Exercising one's right to vote is the single
most powerful thing a person can do as a citizen in our country and in our society.
That is why I am introducing a grass roots effort to encourage the vote and
have the majority of voters in the Westerville City School District decide the future of their schools. The effort is called:
MINE + 9
The concept of Mine + 9 asks you to be accountable
for your "yes" vote on election day (March 2nd) plus the vote of nine (9) of your friends, neighbors, relatives or coworkers. Then, each of the nine (9) people are asked to contact an additional nine (9) people
and encourage their "yes" vote and give them a reminder call before the election and so on.
This develops an information and support network. The goal of Mine
+ 9 is to increase voter participation beyond its current level and pass the levy on March 2nd.
Now is the time to ensure that you have a voice over
the quality of the education of the children in the Westerville City
School District!
If you are interested in more information about the district, its finances
or anything else, you can check the following sources:
Do not miss your opportunity to vote Yes for the March 2nd levy. Research the facts and exercise your right to vote.
Your vote matters!
Do not let a minority of voters make all the decisions for this school
district.
I would like to include you on my List of Nine and encourage you to contact
nine people that you know in the district. Please help continue this campaign
by signing my pledge form and passing copies of the letter and pledge form on to nine other people who will in turn sign your
pledge form. A print version of the form is available on the WeVOTE website.
Together, we can make a difference!
Thank you!
Sincerely,
