To all the members of the Hamilton County School Board:
I would ask you to keep in mind your duty to represent your district, not yourself, and your duty to do what is best for the schoolchildren of Hamilton county, and vote against the pension tonight. This pension will not benefit the children and schools in any way, especially as it applies to those members whose last day on the board will be today (so that even the weak argument that it benefits children by helping attract good candidates is not applicable). The only ones who will benefit by the pension are you, and it is not your job on this board to benefit yourself. In light of the fact that just the week previous, you elected to reduce the benefits teachers receive, it is particularly hypocritical to turn around and pass this.
I would also ask that your student representative consider this issue and speak up on behalf of the students of the area to oppose this pension, and I would ask the rest of you to listen to her-- her position should not be simply a token.
I would like to thank members Rhonda Thurman, Everett Fairchild, and Chester Bankston for the commitments they have made to oppose this travesty, and would ask Janice Boydston, who has consistently said she would vote the same way again, to do your job and act with something other than self-interest, rather than effectively steal this money from the students of Hamilton County, who have much greater needs than yours.
Amy Petulla
Proud parent of 1 graduate and 2 high school students at CSAS