<bt>To the Editor:
In reading the letter to the editor "Where Was Cathy Belter," as Belter's challenger for the Springfield District School Board seat, I am compelled to elaborate and augment upon Ms. Springer's, Ms. Manville's, and Ms. Ricciardi's supportive letter.
Indeed, when I discovered that my children's classroom supplies were unfunded by the school system, supplied by funds from our generous PTA, and when I discovered that these circumstances continually exist throughout the schools in the Springfield District, I sought out our School Board representative, and she was campaigning for state senate less than two years into her first term! Do not let anyone tell you that a state senator has the same jurisdiction over school matters as an elected School Board representative! And don't let anyone tell you, a freshman state senator has any chance of bringing back a treasure chest for our schools!
Then I examined why schools in the Springfield District (a district that has some of the oldest schools in the county) still have broken heating and cooling systems, too many trailers, and in some cases, not even enough working bathrooms, such as Greenbriar West Elementary. I searched in vain to see if our district schools were slated for renovation and improvement in the upcoming $300 School Board Referendum. I sought out our School Board representative, and she was still campaigning for state senate, less than two years in her first term. Do not let anyone tell you we are not included because some of our schools have been included in past bonds. Walk through the schools and talk to the teachers, parents, and principals like I have, it is clearly not enough!
You can rest assured, as your District School Board representative, I will put your schools, your children's education, and the residents of the Springfield District first, before party alliances or party platforms. I will pledge to work across party lines and affiliations to best represent our schools. Furthermore, I will make a pledge that in the first 60 days after my election, I will personally meet with every PTA in the Springfield District to craft a plan where all our schools and common issues will be on the top of my agenda on the School Board.
These are not hollow promises. I have built successful small businesses, academic departments, research centers, schools and colleges. I am the only candidate who has proposed a concrete plan to find the funds to improve our schools, redirect more funds into the classroom, increase our teacher's pay, reduce administration, and reduce our class sizes. To see for yourself, visit my Web site at www.smartin.org.
You deserve to have a School Board representative who has educational experience and knowledge, both in administration and the classroom, one who can actually implement his proposals and plans, not simply try to move on to another job when she fails.
Dr. Scott M. Martin
R-Candidate