Worcester Is MAJOR!™: Education: Stand for Children

Earlier this afternoon I received information about Stand for Children having their agenda item approved for next week's City Council School Budget meeting. Here are the details:

Dear members and friends,

Congratulations! Voting members have unanimously approved our issue agenda. Thank you to those who voted for taking the time to weigh in on our next campaign.

We will be working on the following issues this year in Worcester:

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Keeping allocated state and federal stimulus education funds in the school budget.
We'll be opposing Worcester's increased grant administration percentage and addressing the city's proposed take-back in above-minimum funding that Stand helped acquire last year.

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Educating the public, our members, and city councilors on the school budget.
We aim to increase understanding of potential funding gaps caused by uncertainty around the federal stimulus & the city's cut in its contribution, and the need to invest in schools now to avoid future funding crises.

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Educating members about the Worcester Public School system & building relationships.
We'll learn about the organizational structure of WPS and continue to build relationships with the City Council, School Committee, teacher's union and school administration. Our goal is to promote transparency, oversight, cooperation and more efficient use of school funding to ensure that more money is directed to the school/classroom level.

In these tough times, it is more important than ever that we take action for our kids!

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Worcester has already cut over $60 million dollars in funding to our schools, laid off nearly 700 school employees and closed 8 schools.
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Worcester gives less than 1% above mandated minimum to the schools (while the state average is 14%). We rank 12th of 13 in school funding among Massachusetts' urban schools.
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City officials are proposing fee increases that would allow the city to divert portions of school grants - including stimulus money meant to bring relief to our schools.

Take Action - save the date for the City Council's School Budget hearing on Tuesday, May 12th at 6:30 p.m. The City Council will be voting to approve the City Manager's proposed budget right after our hearing. This is the time to show up to city hall and show your support for the kids of Worcester Public Schools!

Thank you for your continued support. Stay tuned to your email for news about other upcoming advocacy opportunities!

Standing with you,

Isabel Gonzalez
Worcester Organizer