On May 4th, we will have the opportunity to vote on many important issues, including the Shaker School levy.  The high quality education available in Shaker is part of what makes our community special.  The passage of the levy is vital to our community and critical to protecting quality education.

Our district has worked hard to protect education for all children while demonstrating financial accountability.  The Shaker Schools have cut costs, including reducing health insurance costs, instituted pay freezes and reductions, reduced administrative and support staff and implemented group purchasing of utilities.  The cost of delivering a solid education continues to increase and we must continue to find measures to control the budget and reduce expenses.

The levy is a 9.9 mill operating issue that is necessary to continue balancing the budget.  Without it, we’d have to cut the budget by 10% including 80 teaching and staff positions.  Those are the types of reductions that will hurt educational quality, and our reputation as a community.

Spreading the word about the levy is important and your help is appreciated.  For volunteer opportunities, please go to www.forshakerschools.org.  Please remember to opt-in to the campaign email list.  For more information about the district’s finances and levy position, please go to www.shaker.org/2010levy.  Please feel free to forward this email.

Eileen McKeon and Patty Kilroy

Co-Presidents, PTO Council