I have been an Addison County resident since 1997 and I was an employee of the Addison Central School District (ACSD) for 25 years. The purpose of this letter is to voice my support for Ruth Hardy as Senator for the Addison District and to explain why she has my vote. I believe Ruth is the right candidate for the job because she is thorough, accessible, and has genuine concern for the needs of her constituents.

I knew of Ruth, but really started to communicate with her in the fall of 2020. That school year is known to teachers as the “hybrid” year. It was the year after schools had shut down in March of 2020. Due to social distancing, there were limitations on the number of students that could be in the building at one time. Half of the students came to school on Monday/Tuesday and the other half came to school Thursday/Friday. When students were not in school, they were supposed to access the lessons online. Wednesday was a fully remote/online day for all. Ruth wanted to see first-hand how schools were coping with these unusual circumstances, and she wanted to help. So naturally, she dove right in and became a substitute teacher. Not only was she a reliable and competent sub, but she also took time to gather information about what schools needed in order to guide her in proposing and voting on legislation. She did this through observation and by questioning both students and teachers. She would often sub as an aide in my classroom. Thorough? I should say so. What better way to help solve the problem than by becoming part of the solution? Not surprising to me, it’s just the way Ruth operates.

In the winter of 2021, drastic cuts were proposed to the Vermont State Teachers Pension. I immediately called Ruth asking for her help and support. Once again, she got right into it. I gave Ruth what information I had regarding the problem and possible solutions and she researched the situation on her end. There were many texts and phone calls over the next year. The communication almost always took place in the evening and over the weekend. Ruth was always available. When the teachers and the legislature came to a tentative agreement in January of 2022, Ruth met with myself and a colleague on a Saturday morning to review the proposal. Over that year, Ruth never made me feel as though I was troubling her or as if she did not have time for me. This was despite the fact that her Mom passed away in March of 2021.

Finally, what I value and respect most about Ruth may sound simplistic and trivial, but I think in today’s climate, it is tremendously important. She cares. After the 2021-22 school year, I decided to leave ACSD and take a job at Rutland High School. One day in August of 2022, I was driving home from Rutland and Ruth called me. She wanted to know how I was doing and why I left ACSD. After we talked and I explained my decision, Ruth said, “I am still your Senator” and encouraged me to contact her if I ever needed anything. So, when the teachers needed her to override a veto this past June, I did not hesitate to reach out and she supported us yet again.

In closing, if education is a priority for you, Ruth is the clear choice. She is a strong advocate for public education, possesses deep understanding of the issues, and is endorsed by the Vermont teacher’s union (VT NEA). If education is not your top priority, please consider her experience, dedication, and character when casting your vote.

Paul Cherrier

Middlebury