I am announcing my candidacy for the Lebanon Community School Board. I have been a resident of Boone County for 25 years. My wife, Carla, and I have five children. Our oldest son graduated from LHS in 2004. Our triplets attend Lebanon Middle School and our youngest attends Hattie B. Stokes Elementary . Carla and I own Merritt Contracting Inc., a local company specializing in concrete and excavating for residential and commercial construction. Our business is located in Lebanon and employs many Lebanon residents.

I am running for School Board because I want to have input into the future direction of LCSC. As a father and business owner, I believe I have many strengths that will make me an effective School Board member. If I am elected to the School Board, you will find that I am a plainspoken, common sense decision-maker. I am honest, hard working, forward thinking, professional, highly motivated, and possess a high level of integrity.

As a parent, I have had a first hand look at the challenges faced by the staff in providing the best education with a limited amount of resources. As a taxpayer and business owner, I am concerned with the amount of tax we pay and the way it is spent. I will do my best to ensure that our tax dollars are spent wisely while providing our children with the best possible educational environment.

I would appreciate your vote on May 4, 2010. Please contact me with any questions at tom@merrittcontracting.com.

I appreciate your consideration,

Thomas S. Merritt