Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the board and community, my name is --------------.

I am the designated representative of the Chardon Education Association. I am here to express our fervent hope that, in the next negotiation session, the Board of Education and the Chardon Education Association will come to an agreement. As you know, the teachers of the Chardon Education Association have been working without a contract since August 2013. The members of the Chardon Education Association have shown their dedication and commitment to the Chardon Local schools by agreeing to pay freezes for the last 6 years. In the last two years alone, those pay freezes have saved the Chardon Local School district approximately $500,000. We have newer members who chose to work in this district because of its excellent reputation. They have not had a pay increase in the last 6 years. They want to stay in our district, but financial conditions may force them to look elsewhere. Our members have labored to maintain our excellent rating, despite the elimination of many educational options for our students. Some of the programs that have been eliminated or reduced, are: Elementary, Middle School and High School Art Elementary, Middle School and High School Music Elementary, Middle School and High School P.E. High School Business Programs High School Computer Science Middle School Foreign Language Elementary School Gifted Programs And Elementary School Counselors In addition, students do not have access to updated materials that are aligned to the new Ohio learning standards. How long can we maintain our excellent rating? Our senior members, who have spent their entire career at Chardon, are concerned that these cuts and these losses will undermine the educational excellence the Chardon Local School district has provided for their students. The future of the District is now your hands. Do we continue the success we have achieved for our students and community? The Chardon community has already shown its support by passing a levy in November. At the August meeting of the Chardon City Council Superintendent, Dr. Hanlon spoke of ensuring a competitive wage for staff to attract and retain quality staff. We are in total agreement with you, Dr. Hanlon. Offering the Chardon Education Association a fair and equitable contract is an essential first step in achieving your goal, Dr. Hanlon. The choice is yours as the governing body

of the Chardon School District. Please be sure to note, as you make your decision, that the membership of the Chardon Education Association is united in its determination to ratify a fair and equitable contract. Anything seen as less will not be accepted. Thank you.