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Dear Editor:
Tuesday, Nov. 7 is a very important day for our town and the families who live here. Please be sure you vote for the passing of the Sheridan Community Schools Referendum.
Although my residence status will not allow me to personally vote, I feel strongly connected to the importance of passing the school referendum because of my experience in the schools, both as a young teacher of English and French working with then principal Al Youmans, working with the teaching staff with Dr. Mundy in his first term as superintendent, and now as a business owner and Vice President of Sheridan Main Street Inc which is devoted to the preservation and revitalization of our downtown.
A recent study involving 239 surveys from citizens and another 145 participating in focus groups plus an open to the public discussion, tells us that 87 percent of us respond AGREE when asked: “Do you agree or disagree with the statement: I personally feel welcome, comfortable, and safe in and around downtown Sheridan.” That is a rare and precious gift for those of us who live and work here. It needs nurturing to remain so. The contribution of Sheridan Community Schools is vital to protecting that experience for our community.
Assuring that our schools can protect and grow the diversity of excellence now offered, including academics, internship opportunities, performing arts, student leadership, and athletics, as well as low student to teacher ratios allowing for individual attention, depends upon a well-financed school. As a former school administrator, I can tell you that in Indiana providing necessary budget levels are driven by the referendum process.
Schools must pass a referendum to cover operational costs. For Sheridan, the referendum provides 12 percent of the budget and that 12 percent contributes solely to the costs of teachers and staff.
I was working in Sheridan Community Schools when we were unable to be competitive in teacher pay and benefits. Our schools often saw teachers who loved teaching in our classrooms leave based on decisions in the best of interests of their own families because of salary opportunities. That is no longer true. The school has worked hard to meet the challenge of providing competitive pay and retaining our teachers for longer tenures. We do not want to lose that important advantage for our kids.
Your vote on Nov. 7 is truly an opportunity for you to make a difference and to be involved in the exciting things happening in our town.
Cindy Keever
Owner of Keever’s Sheridan Hardware
Former staff member of Sheridan Community Schools