Pickerington Education Association Meeting

I had the pleasure of being invited to speak to the Pickerington Teachers Monday evening. Below is the context of the speech given that night.

I'm very proud to have these hard working talented men and women working with your young people everyday!

Thank you for inviting me to your meeting.

     I would also like to thank you for supporting our recently passed fire levy.

     More significantly, I would like to thank you for your support in the recent effort to resist the annexation of the Pickerington North complex.

     Because of my consistent concern for the schools and its employees, when I first learned of the city's plans to annex the school complex and the surrounding land, I met with Lisa Reade and subsequently we held an informational meeting with your organization and then worked closely with the school board to address this hostile annexation.

     Carla Fultz, Patti Morgan and Lisa Reade courageously testified at a city council meeting especially considering the Mayor's reaction.

     Ultimately as a result of this unified effort, Township, School Board, the PEA and citizens, the city withdrew their petition at the last minute which saved thousands of dollars in cost including income tax, water runoff fees, infrastructure charges, etc.

     In the above scenario experience in dealing with the city on these kind of issues paid off handsomely.  Moreover I am the only Trustee that has consistently asked residential developers in the Township to offset the negative impact on the schools, in spite of not having the ability to demand this per the ORC.  I have won some and lost some.  The recent one for Heron Crossing was successful - with the result being an in kind contribution of service of building a road for the Toll Gate School Complex that the school would have had to provide.

     I am certain my opponent will be sensitive to school issues, but he has a huge learning curve addressing these types of issues.  That being said, I look forward to another Trustee joining me in working for the schools an hope he decides to run in two years.

     I look forward to answering your questions about my positions on any issue.