George,

I am very much in agreement with Karl Ackerman's and Sue Lewis's recent postings about the elected school board referendum. I would only add the
following:

Fundamentally, the decision comes down to this: Do we trust the voters of Charlotesville - that is, ourselves -- or not? This is one of the most well-educated and progressive electorates in Virginia, and our major local industry is public education. For these reasons and more, I trust the voters of Charlottesville to elect a responsive and effective school board.

I'll be voting yes on the referendum.

Jeffrey Rossman (electronic mail, November 7, 2005)