Last year, about this time , I attended the Gilroy Foundation's Grant Recipient Reception. Accepting a grant on behalf of The Eliot Book Stop was such an honor for Michele Rundle and I.

We co-founded the Book Stop when some of our students mentioned they didn't have books at home. The Eliot Book Stop is a student book store dedicated to promoting home literacy by selling used books to students for .25 cents.

On that April evening, I was so overwhelmed with emotion. If I had spoken, I would not have managed to express my words of gratitude without crying. I never publicly thanked the foundation for their $1,000 grant. I would like to do that today.

Reading is a very special topic for me. I have a special needs son that has defied research and expert opinion by learning to read at grade level.

The magical doors of language and reading were opened for me by stellar teachers, Mrs. Ladd and Mr. Martinez. My love for books was encouraged at home as well. My older sister would buy books for me by the box load at flea markets. Every Sunday, my parents purchased a book for me at the grocery store.

I found refuge among the pages of stories and adventures. Books became my haven.

When I was old enough, I would take the bus into town to the Gilroy Library, a 30-minute ride from my home in the country.

I had figured out that reading gave me the wings to fly to places beyond my poverty and beyond my imagination. My competency in reading allowed me to flourish academically, to attend one of the top universities in the country and to beat the odds.

On that evening last April, I wanted to say thank you for supporting literacy at the Eliot community. The foundation's generous gift allowed the Book Stop to purchase 680 new books. These new books will be sold to children that may not have books at home, to parents practicing their English reading skills and to Eliot graduates that stop by on their way back from middle school.

Wednesday, the Book Stop held a grand re-opening to celebrate the gift of books and the gift of reading. I cannot imagine my world without books. Every child deserves books at home. Thank you Gilroy Foundation for giving these kids the tools they need to fly, to flourish, to beat the odds. You are truly investing in the future of our community.

On behalf of Eliot readers and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Patrisia Garcia Martinez

Superintendent Flores apologizes for incorrect attribution
Dear Editor,

I am writing concerning at article entitled "Board looks toward bond to solve CHS gap" that was published in the April 7 edition. The article included quotes from comments made during a meeting of the board of trustees of the Gilroy Unified School District held April 3, 2008.

In particular, I was quoted as stating that a decision not to go through an appeals process "was made by former Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Steve Brinkman."

I recently discovered that I was mistaken in identifying the former assistant superintendent in my comments to the board as I now understand that Mr. Brinkman did not make that decision.

Regardless of which particular district employees in the prior administration may have participated in making the decision, however, I support the appeals process decision and believe it was the correct one.

Because I respect your efforts to report on matters of public concern impacting our district, I wanted to make you aware of my error and correct the record. I regret any confusion this mistake may have caused.
Deborah A. Flores, Superintendent