PACT Update

‘schools send an important message: we value our children. The building can either say to students:“Tough it out and get by—we’re not completely committed to your education;” or it can say: “You are a vital part of our community. We want you to feel safe, comfortable, challenged, inspired, proud—we believe in you and your future.” The message that the school building sends is not lost on teachers, students, or the community at large.’

--From a Tennessee Advisory Committee report
full text (worth reading) at: http://www.state.tn.us/tacir/PDF_FILES/Education/SchFac.pdf

• BOE met Monday June 30. The fact that they have not received a lot of letters was mentioned. GuilfordPACT has a basic templated letter to the BOE now available at: http://www.guilfordpact.org/letters.html. We encourage all members to write.
• BOE outlined some guidelines for moderated discussion, first one will be Monday July 7 at 7:00pm, at the EMS building. They noted that some meetings this summer will allow public comment.
• The “two new schools” committee met Tuesday at Karen Goldberg’s house. Action items included getting people out to sign petitions (for two new schools or a comprehensive solution), especially at town events. I have created 3 binders with essential and ancillary info and petitions that are available on my porch at 151 Whitfield for anyone who is going to an event, or just wants to walk around a neighborhood or the Green. Return when you are done with signed petitions.
• Contact Roger Winer (roger.winer@roche.com) if you are interested in helping out with community events, we are working on updating the PACT calendar with these, including committed individuals.
• The tax relief committee met tonight. They are looking hard at long term solutions as well as remedies for this year and even discussed rebate checks to seniors. This could be helpful in avoiding a complete backlash against a referendum.
• We look forward to meeting with everyone on July 15th. Especially encourage committee leaders and members to communicate and commit action items.
• We are working on a member survey and draft of a “white paper” to the BOE.
• Keith Mitzelfelt has been working hard on a new website, as well as member communications. Check it out at www.guilfordpact.org

Happy 4th of July everyone! I will be away for a few days, out of the reach of email. Hoping to have another PACT social event towards the end of the month, the Jacobs Beach picnic was a big success.

Chris