Support Lebanon Students -- vote YES!

As I have written previously here and here, the board approved a package of renovation projects, and the community will vote on the projects in the Nov. 2 election. Because of changes in Indiana law, school corporations are not allowed to use any taxpayer funds to promote passage of a capital projects referendum. Employees of the school corporation can provide information about the referendum at any time, and they can be in favor of the referendum as private citizens (they can put a sign in their yards, donate to the campaign, wear a button, etc.), but they can't promote the referendum during school hours, on school property, or using school computers or other resources.

The role of the board is a bit different. The law is very clear that board members may advocate for or against a referendum in our role as elected officials.

But the restrictions on the school (which were made to level the playing field and not give schools an overwhelming advantage in a process like this) mean that someone else has to step up and advocate for passage of the referendum.

Fortunately, a group of Lebanon community members has stepped up to form a Political Action Committee and carry the campaign forward. The group is called Support Lebanon Students, their web site is here, and I've linked to their Facebook page at the right. Their job between now and November 2 is to educate the public about the facts of the renovation plans and referendum, and to persuade as many voters as possible to vote in favor of it. They started by having a group of 42 adults and students walk in the Fourth of July parade. They'll be putting out literature, answering questions in public, planting yard signs, reminding voters about registration deadlines and early voting, and working outside polling places. If you'd like to help them, they want as many community members to be involved as possible, or they could use your donations!

This is a group of projects that is conservative, and that focuses on student safety, education needs, and energy efficiency. I hope you'll vote YES, and if you have any questions, I hope you'll contact the Support Lebanon Students group or a board member.