BFTSP

It was a long night…

The results are in and the bond failed.  There was about a 500 vote difference.  It was not a good day in BISD. I think that the issues ahead of us will be difficult.  The federal stimulus money, the low interest rates and the low construction costs that we lost out on will haunt us.  As one of my favorite people said at the watch party “you can’t fix stupid”.

This Is It….

and I am not talking about the Michael Jackson movie.  Hopefully, early voting will insure a victory for the BISD Bond election.  Although we still have to hold our breath about Election Day. I have hoped for a low turnout on Tuesday because I believe that the Election Day votes could be the  “Against” votes. 

The Facts has two great letters to the letter today.   One from Kimberly Starr and the other from Brent Bowles in favor of the bonds.  Buzz up these letters.  Start conversations about them.  This is the last push.

If you know of people on your campus that havn’t voted yet.  Work on them.  If they had excuses to not vote over the last two weeks, chances are they will have another one on Tuesday.  But hope springs eternal that there are procrastinators who do actually follow through at the last minute.

BFT made the Hotline….

Please check the TxAFT Hotline for the “shout out” to BFT.  Let’s be sure that we follow through with this bond election campaign and Get Out The Vote.

Did you vote today?

I have 6 pictures of  BISD bond voters!  At this rate we will have 60 early voters.  That won’t be enough to pass this bond.  Remember we are always fighting apathy in education.  If the BISD employees show apathy in this election we will be facing more trash cans in the hall collecting rain water, duct tape on the carpets and salary raises that don’t even cover the increases in our health care and/or our gasoline.   Vote on Tuesday from 8-5.

Poll sitting, not pole sitting….

Your help is needed to sit at the polls during early voting and Election Day, too.  There are shifts after school and shifts on Saturday, too.  This is important to give voters a chance to ask questions or to be reminded of the needs of our schools.  Please go to  www.ForBISDkids.com and volunteer for an 1.5 hour shilft.   You are needed.  Volunteer now so that you can do your part afterschool or on Saturday.  Remember when you value something, the lowest value is giving lip service to it, then financial support and the highest is giving your time and effort for the thing that you value.  This is bond election should be of highest value to you.  It is important to your students, your pocketbook and your passion.  And take a picture of it and email it to me, too.

Take a picture….

Read the FACTS this morning and talk it up.  Voting starts tomorrow.  Take a picture of yourself at the polls. Send it to me, print it, put it on the bulletin board  and post it on your Facebook page,  if you have one.  It will help to remind supporters to vote early.  It is good marketing.  Marketing people do it all the time.  Let’s get with it, too.  Hand your phone/camera off to someone and pose next to a poll sign to prove your were there.

Who was that man…

One or two people tried to steal  the Forum on Tuesday night.  However, they were nabbed shortly thereafter.  If you didn’t make it to the meeting, I wish you had. 

Friday starts our GOTV project.  We need help from all to make it successful.  It is not political, so it can be done on campus.  To help you do not have to be a BFT member.  See the building rep. on your campus/site or a member of the BFT Leadership Team.  They have the details.  Or call me/email me and I will set you up.

Remember this election is important for the future of BISD.  Even if you have to hold your nose to vote for some parts of it or if you have bad feelings about the last bond project, DO NOT CUT OFF YOUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE.  If we don’t get money for the maintenance and improvements.  the money will have to come from the general fund which is where your position, salary and health benefits are funded.  An a/c chiller could be several positions.  Carpet and roofs for our buildings instead of a raise?  How about increasing your health premiums to pay for the technology infrastructure that must be done, soon? 

We all have to Get Out To Vote-Early and take your registered family members with you.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL ELECTION DAY.  That is a disaster waiting to happpen for the bond election.

The pen is mightier than the sword….

The time may be on us to rebut with letters to the editor.  The fair and factual article in the Facts today may bring out the opposition and the naysayers.  The best counter would be to have a couple of letters in support for the bond election.  It is your turn to step up and write a letter, especially if you have some personal anecdotes of conditions or needs at your school.  Be vigilant and don’t let criticism go unanswered.  See all of you on Tuesday.  Please come and bring your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to have new carpet, buildings, and roofs.

Please no excuses….

The public forum that BFT is sponsoring is very important to our membership.  We need all of our members in support of the bond election and knowing the facts will convince members and their families.  But the other part of it is that we need “positive” people at the meeting to overcome any “negative” people that show up.  It is a public meeting.  BFT will have a short meeting after the public meeting to discuss our activities for the bond election.  Mark your calendar for the Forum on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 a.m. at the LJ Civic Center in the Terrace Room 2.   Please bring your colleagues, friends and families.  Word-of-mouth is great communication in our world.  Fired up, ready to go.

Yard Art….

This time with meaning and feeling.  The yard signs FOR the Bond Election will be available tomorrow at Brian’s BBQ from 1:00-2:30.  I will pick some up for our BFT Leadership Meeting or you can pick one up at the Tailgate party on Friday at the Freeport Muncipal Park from 5-7.   Remember….I know where you live and I will be out checking the neighborhoods to be sure you have a beautiful yard decorated with appropriate art…LOL.

 If you would be willing to pass out “factual” information at the football game, please call me.