As education employees of Charlotte County Schools, we work hard for our money…often doing the work of two or three as positions are eliminated or our colleagues leave the District…increased class size…struggling to have up-to-date curriculum and material for our students…long hours…often working two or more jobs…and more. But we are dedicated professionals who not only care about our students, but care about our OWN children who are also students in this District. We want the best education for our students AND our own children.

That is why the teachers and school employees are making an investment in the future of our children and in the future of our careers by donating $15,000 through our employee unions of Charlotte County to help with the passage of the much-needed Referendum for Charlotte County. We know that the dues money contributed to our unions to protect employee jobs is sacred, and so it is not lightly that we entrust this money to the Referendum effort—to be spent wisely to ensure that we can achieve Student Success through teacher and education employee success.

In addition to this donation of money, our members have stepped up and are volunteering to help in the effort to support our schools. We will be working with you through our representatives on the Referendum Committee—John Jordan and Gina Pennybacker—to coordinate our efforts. Our almost four-week information campaign to employees was extremely successful, and we will be sharing the results of the survey of employees regarding the Referendum effort.

So, we join hands in working toward Student Success by putting our own money to work to show our commitment to making Charlotte County one of the best counties for education in the state. Together, we WILL achieve greater Student Success.

Respectfully,