January 30, 2008 My Awesome Activists and Advocates, BRAVO on an initial impact on Governor Crist for your letters protesting the enormous and unconscionable budget cuts being recommended by our legislators! As you know, he vetoed some of their recommendations and education was among them. The Governor challenged only a fraction of their deductions; and maintained that there needs to be a preservation of incentives for those with advanced degrees. While his stance failed to stress the critical impact of the $477.4 cuts on every child in Florida, we need to focus on the symbolic importance of his veto. I believe that it was his statement that the legislature will not have ungoverned (no pun intended) freedom to continue to make these dramatic denials of public education. We need to redouble our efforts! You must continue to champion the rights of every child and be their voices-until they can develop their own. Chancellor’s children are doing their part by writing letters and designing ‘political cartoons’ which express their sentiments and their sadness. They have sent such poignant slogans as: “Deny the smokers, not the learners”; and “How can we protect the future without an educational present?”! Now is the time to contact our Governor, lobbyists and ALL legislators PRIOR to their reconvening on March 3rd. It is rumored that they are proposing ANOTHER 6% reduction in funding for education. They will use their new LOWERED BASELINE to determine FURTHER REDUCTIONS to our kids’ educational opportunities Your letters have been very powerful. Many of you have pointed out that Florida already is the LOWEST per capita investment in students in the ENTIRE nation! Chancellor has already lost 2% of our monies this year which approximates $80,000.00 less money we have to spend on our children. Cutting already skeletal monies is dramatic evidence of lack of valuing our children, their learning and the future of America! We dare not be discouraged in our efforts. Our goal must continue to be the protection of our children’s right to learn and receive what the federal law guarantees: a Free Appropriate Public Education! While this vote may have already taken its toll on the current budget, we must go forward to protect our children NEXT YEAR! I know that our students can depend on your letter campaign to ALL of the politicians and legislators BEFORE they reconvene on March 3rd. You can begin the process by simply clicking on our flashing website link and emailing your sentiments to multiple decision makers simultaneously! You can then continue with ‘snail mail’ to EVERY INFLUENTIAL person you know…AND get friends and family to do the same with immediacy and urgency! We will not have another chance to express our distress! Mobilizing and maintaining the momentum of this communication campaign is going to be our greatest hope to stem the tide of these devastating cuts … I know that we can count on your cooperation in this most critical of endeavors! Your child’s needs are our greatest inspiration and motivation! With fondest regards and anticipatory appreciation,
Laura PLEASE DIARY YOUR CALENDARS for February 3rd: BLOOD DRIVE from 3:00-5:30 – a gift of life, and Math & Literacy Night from 5:30-6:30-a gift to our kids!