Make 1,000 calls for your kids
to save educational opportunities
Last week, Governor Scott Walker introduced a budget repair
bill that would cut the pay of Wisconsin’s teachers.
In about two weeks, he is expected to unveil a state budget
that, according to even the most optimistic Capitol Watchers,
will slash aid to public schools and further ratchet down
revenue limits. On top of 18 years of death by a thousand
cuts, Wisconsin's once-proud education system is being dismantled
one program and one service at a time.
It's time to stop the madness and the first step is to let
your elected representatives know that “enough is enough.”
Now — and again on Feb. 22 — we need to send 1,000
telephone calls or e-mails to the Governor, your Senator,
and your Representative and tell them your children, their
schools, and your communities are more important than their
political games.
Tell them it's time to re-invest in our public schools, change
the funding system, and put public education back at the top
of the list of priorities in Wisconsin.
Here's what's at stake. Think about what's going on in your
child's school right now- the cuts, lay-offs, and lost opportunities.
OK, now think about that school getting even less money ...
maybe a lot less ... and ask yourself the question: "Do
my kids deserve the opportunity to succeed."
You don’t think it can happen to your kids and your
communities. Well, think again. And remember, this was happening
even before the Governor's budget has been released:
You can make a difference
First things first, contact the Governor and your Senator
and Representative and tell them cutting teacher pay is not
the way to make our schools better.
The Governor said cutting teacher pay will give local school
boards more flexibility to deal with the problems created
by the state's school-funding system. What he has only hinted
at is he also plans to cut state aid and make it harder for
local school districts to raise money. Even if it was the
right thing to do, teacher pay cuts will not fill those budget
holes.
Around the state, folks are joining together to deliver this
message to State Government. You can check the event
or activity near you at “Isthmus” or at the
WEAC website.
Second, just after Governor Walker delivers his budget speech,
you will get another e-mail reminding you to call your elected
officials and providing a short analysis of the budget's affect
on your kids, their schools, and your communities. Then, it’s
up to you. If the question is: "Do your kids deserve
the opportunity to learn?" And, if the answer is "yes,"
then making that call or sending that e-mail is the least
you can do.
Some things you can do right now to get ready:
-
Pass this e-mail along to as many people as possible
(and then make sure you pass along the one in a couple
of weeks).
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Find out who your elected officials are and how to contact
them. You can reach Gov. Walker at 608-266-1212 or govgeneral@wisconsin.gov.
To find out the information for your Senator and Representative,
go to http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx
and insert your address.
-
Make it easy for those to whom you forward this e-mail
... for example, if you are sending it to the teachers
in your school district, look up their elected officials'
contact information before you forward the message.
-
If you are part of an organization, make sure that organization
is involved and updated.
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Go to http://www.apennyforkids.org/you-can-help.html
for some good background and talking points, or
just click here for a simple sample
message you can use.
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Once you've made your call or sent your e-mail, click
on the "Follow
WAES on Facebook" button at http://www.excellentschools.org
and tell everyone how good it made you feel.
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Post this on your own Facebook page, blog about it,
tweet it, and send it viral.
Remember, this is about your children and their education,
your schools, and the future of your communities. Making one
telephone call or sending one e-mail is something you can
do to protect all three.
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