The toughest fight yet comes when the school board presents its budget to the city council. School board members say we must press council members to keep the 1% increase that the board has recommended. They also ask us to speak up for the entire school budget, serving all children, rather than advocate a single program.
Attend the city council meeting at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 6. The city council told school administrators they could not increase the school budget at all. But the board will present the council with recommendations for a 1% increase, which includes the Academically Gifted English Language Arts position, library help and other key student services.
Now we must lobby the city council. Show the council the same united front we presented to the school board. Show up at the meeting. Speak out to get our children what they need.
Ask friends and neighbors to join you Wednesday evening to show community support for a 1% increase in the school budget. This increase -- minimal though it is -- is important not only for gifted children, but for every child in the South Portland schools, and for the community’s future. We need to stand together as parents and teachers, seeking equity for the children we know have their own special needs.
No argument is more powerful than a parent’s. Fight for your children’s education. Show the City Council that gifted kids matter, that the school budget matters Show up. Speak up. Don’t stop yet -- because it’s still not over.
(Email addresses and phone numbers for city council members are at the bottom of the next post.)
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