Feb. 28, 2008
Friends and Neighbors:
The school board election, town hall meetings, and public hearings are concluded and the vote on redistricting is scheduled to occur tonight. The case for redistricting has never materialized. First, it was a capacity issue, then it was a programatic issue. Evidence in support of both arguments has been weak. Public opinion strongly opposes the use of school redistricting to accomplish social agendas, or justify expenditures of taxpayers' dollars after the fact. The StopRD.org petition opposing redistricting has gathered 2,596 signatures, while the petition in support of redistricting could only muster 500.
People support the concept of making South Lakes High School a place families plan to attend, rather than avoid. People support exploring alternatives to redistricting to accomplish that objective.
On behalf of StopRD.org, "Thank you!" to the legions of friends and neighbors who worked together on this issue. There are so many who walked the streets, ran meetings, planned election strategy, etc., ... too many to mention all of them by name. But special thanks goes to Tim Veltman, Michael Saunders, Maryann Ceh, Sheila Filliponi, Jim LeMunyon, Charlie McGrath, Matt Lupone, Shawn Jones, John Halacy, Nick Pesce, Maryclaire Ramsey, Marsha Clinton, Todd Miller, Lisa Capalbo, Pat Higgins, Joyce Turk, Caitlin Vargas, Dan and Claire Hassett, Lynne Greene, Paul Krieger, Jeanne Dolenc and Ann Hall. I know... I forgot alot of people ( eg, Sally Goins, Jeanne Hargrave, Janice Bako...) and all the students and their parents who helped! These people are all leaders in their communities. They fought together to try and stop this redistricting process, however they could. As the target narrowed, and the potentially affected group shrank, many of the unaffected turned their attention toward other priorities. But the process has never seemed fair to any of us, and the result has always seemed virtually pre-determined.
Tonight we will learn the result of our collective efforts. Let us hope the result is sound public policy which you can support for the betterment of your communities, schools, and families.
Richard Bolger, Esq.