Below is a letter that was sent out to some 10,000 households in PISD. This was a typically reactionary, deceitful action, intended only to discredit a group of concerned parents, now numbering in the hundreds, who have had doors slammed in their faces by PISD at every turn. Having finally resorted to a legal complaint, and recruited several elected state legislators to their cause, these parents have begun to convince PISD that they may actually have some influence on the schools they own. PISD will have none of that. These are your tax dollars at work.

Dear Parent,

Many of you received a recent mailing from some individuals regarding our middle school math program and "Connected Math." This mailing contains many inaccuracies in the reporting of the program, its implementation and its effectiveness.

Following Keith Sockwell, Deputy Superintendent's unscheduled appearance and questioning before the House Committee on Education, he returned to the district and revisited the concerns raised before the committee with our staff, including whether or not an alternative course should be offered. Afier this review, we are more convinced than ever that the Piano ISD math curriculum is a quality one and is in full compliance with all state rules.

We have endeavored to construct a meaningful and effective math program for our middle schools and I believe we have accomplished this goal. During the implementation of this program, we solicited input from parents, teachers and community business leaders to determine the needs of our students into the 21st Century and methodologies to effectively implement the math program.

The mailing that has been sent criticizing the program implies that the District failed to honor parental concerns and is teaching a curriculum that fails to meet the educational requirements of the State and the needs of our students. I have attached a copy of a recent letter from the Texas Education Agency responding to the allegations of those challenging our middle school math program and affirming the decisions of the District.

We hope this information clarifies many of the concerns that may have been raised. Please rest assured that the District is committed to providing a quality math program that will allow our children to excel in their future math classes and careers.

Sincerely,

Doug Otto, Superintendent