Former Perry educator Nancy Speedy shared this letter with the editors of our local papers.

Team Mercer, Mertz, & Freeman

To Parents, Educators, and Patrons of Perry Township Schools:

On May 6, 2008, the citizens of Perry Township will have an opportunity to participate in an extremely important election process which will change the leadership of the MSDPT School Board. That leadership affects all citizens, not just those who have children in the school system.

As most of us know, public education is being questioned as to its success in providing our children with the necessary skills to become effective members of society and our leaders for tomorrow. This concern is real. However, with ethical and knowledgeable leadership from our school board, positive guidance from our new superintendent, and active participation from our parents and community, I believe public education can be successful and will continue to thrive.

As a retired educator and one who has long been active in Perry Township school concerns, I recently attended the PTA Open Forum held to introduce the school board candidates. Listening to each candidate has reinforced my decision to support Chuck Mercer, Ken Mertz, & Gwen Freeman to fill the three vacant seats on the Perry Township School Board. These three candidates are qualified for numerous reasons:

• They are individuals of honesty and integrity.
• They are citizens with high moral values and standards.
• They possess a strong desire to make our school system the best it can be through well-informed and pro-active leadership.
• They possess knowledge of our school system and its needs.
• They are willing to devote the time to serve effectively.
• They are pledged to open communications with the community and will respond to the needs of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and patrons.
• They are pledged to invest in sound financial management and business practices.
• They are pledged to follow the Code of Ethics of the Indiana School Boards Association which defines the function of a school board member as policy maker and not administrator.
• They are service-minded individuals who volunteer to support the activities and people in our community.
• They are pledged to build community trust and restore pride in the leadership of our school board.

We can no longer allow Perry Township to continue with a school board leadership which follows personal agendas. Our beloved township needs loyal, ethical, open-minded, visionary, and sensible leaders who will be receptive to the community they serve and who seriously care about our educational system and its impact on our children. To insure a leadership that represents the values of this township, I urge all citizens to go to the polls on Tuesday, May 6, and vote for Mercer, Mertz, & Freeman for Perry Township School Board.

Nancy Speedy