School District Meeting On Truth in Recruiting

Kudos to the our local activists on Truth in Recruiting! We will keep you informed about how you can support these changes in our schools.

Reflections from Meeting w/ Rhonda Gardner, ASD Asst. Supt.

April 20, 2007

Thanks to everyone for your ideas, energy and commitment to this cause. Six very thoughtful activists had an opportunity to meet w/ Ms. Gardner for an hour today. She had already read our proposal and was ready to hear our talking points.

Ms. G shared our views that the time has come to have a concrete plan in place for addressing our concerns. It was apparent that she shared our views with regards to every item in our proposal. She shook her head at many of the stories we shared about what’s been happening in high schools recently.

I feel confident that this will move forward and she said “something WILL be in place come fall ‘07.” We presented her w/ the current policies of the cities of Seattle, Juneau and Fairbanks. She also received a recent article published in the National Education Association’s monthly magazine entitled “Uncle Sam Wants... You? As military recruiters continue targeting students, they’re increasingly trying to win the hearts and minds of educators.” Lastly, we gave her a copy of the “US Army Command’s School Recruiting Program Handbook.” She made a promise that she would indeed read it.

Next steps: Ms. Gardner meets w/ Supt. Comeau. They decide if this goes before the board to become a policy or if it’s just placed in administrative regulations. We specifically asked for a policy. That would be a stronger message. Ms. Gardner will also share our proposal w/ the school board. Then, she will get back in touch w/ Mel. We made Mel our point person!

To close, I let her know that she would be receiving a letter from Vets for Peace. I also, in as gentle way as I could muster (which wasn’t very gentle) let her know that we expected action and that there were others waiting to see what happened before moving forward with our own stronger action. Basically I was saying “don’t placate us. We expect serious change to the current situation.”

Thank you for being with us in spirit. Any time one goes up against a huge bureaucracy it can be daunting. I’m thankful for working with a group so committed to making this change. As a mother, teacher and peacenik I am encouraged by today’s events.

"Hope is the dream whose time has come, whose dance is already real- even if some of us cannot hear the music."

Sister Joan Chittister

~yours in peace~

Cheryl