12/08/2011
Parents Must Tell Legislators:

Worried about your child's education?
You should be. You need to be worried – others aren’t.
We must support our legislators who don't want to gamble with our children's future and don’t want to CUT school days. Our legislature is debating whether to CUT 4 SCHOOL DAYS – it’s bad for kids, and Washington State PTA strongly opposes it:
Cut days put even more pressure on our levy dollars to used inappropriately for Basic Ed
All school funding is driven by the number of days in the school year: WSPTA advocates for children's well-being and education and is reviewing all revenue options. Programs that support children and families are on the line, but the State can't raid Basic Education to fund them. The way forward is to stabilize basic education, not undermine it.
If the state cuts days, it cuts all allocations: If legislators start arbitrarily changing the school year, it wrecks school allocations from year to year. A 4-day loss means more cuts to busing, maintenance, supplies - and another 2.2 percent cut in salary allocations that must be negotiated with staff (after pay cuts already absorbed this year by LWSD).
To cuts days the State must redefine "Basic Education" and argue that kids don't need that time in school - this when all the statistical evidence and real-world competition tells us otherwise.
CALL THE HOTLINE: 1-800-562-6000, talk to the friendly operator who guides you through leaving a message.
And/or send an easy WSPTA Action Alert email http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/issues/alert/?alertid=56696501&PROCESS=Take+Action.
Or contact your legislator directly – all are listed below (if you are unsure who is your Leg - http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx )
Thanks for all you do to support RJH students and all Washington kids – take action now!
Byron Shutz
RJH-PTSA Advocacy Chair 2011-12
byron@byronshutzjr.org