Dear Chatham Tax Payers,

The School District of the Chathams is proposing a $25 Million dollar bond referendum seeking improvements and additions to the elementary schools, playing fields, high school auditorium plus the construction of a new $10.8 Million Performing Arts Center (PAC). This is a lot of your money and we should be able to understand how the total number was calculated, especially when over 40% of the bond referendum is earmarked for the PAC.

In recent Board of Education (BOE) meetings, residents have asked for documentation supporting how the $25 million price tag was derived and how the cost of constructing a new PAC compared to the renovation and expansion of the existing High School auditorium. In response to the taxpayers question the BOE flatly refused to provide this information!

Whether you agree or disagree with the PAC, I am sure you do agree the BOE needs to be upfront, open and transparent when it comes to providing the details behind the numbers, including per square foot construction costs vs. the cost of renovating our existing facilities. If you believe the BOE should provide the details behind this bond referendum, please sign this petition letting the BOE know you want the details behind the $25 million price tag.

We will take your signatures to the BOE and share with them the numerous residents who want to make an informed decision when voting on the $25 million bond referendum.

Regards,

A Fellow Taxpayer