Ideas to get you started . . .I often have people tell me that they would email but they just don't know what to say and they ask me to provide them with sample letters.  I don't want to put words in your mouth but I understand that it would be helpful to provide some samples.  I have compiled a number of sample letters below to get you started.  These are just ideas.   Go ahead and write your own note.  If you get stuck feel free to use the samples.  You can mix them up and change the wording and tone to reflect your own voice and concerns.  What is lacking from all these samples are real stories about real children and what could happen if our schools have to make drastic cuts.  Please add those stories if you can.  We have to get the legislators to see past the numbers and see the faces of our school children.   

Always include your name, address and phone number.

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Dear Representative/Senator,

Education is a priority for me and I am concerned about possible cuts to education funding.  My children only have this one shot at their education and cannot have a redo when times are better.  I believe these rough economic times will end and Minnesota needs to be in a position to prosper.  Dismantling our public school system, in the long run, will cripple Minnesota's ability to recover.  
 
Protect education funding.  Put the education unallotment shift into law.  Make sure school boards have board authority to renew expiring referendums so our schools will not lose vital funding.  I would ask that you make education a priority and speak to your leadership to do the same. 
 
Thank you.
 
Sincerely,  

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Dear Representative/Senator,

Don't cut funding for public education!  For the past 17 years, the basic formula has increased on average of ~1.5% while inflation has increased 3%.  Every year, our schools have received half of what they needed just to keep up with inflation, let alone address the additional state and federal mandates.   
 
Eventually, the economy will improve.  Minnesota needs to be in a position to thrive.  A well educated work force will ensure our future prosperity.  This legislature and governor must not jeopardize the future for our kids and our state when dealing with the challenges of today.  

Please support our K-12 public schools.  Do not make any further cuts to education funding and put the unallotment education shift into law.  Let our school boards decide to renew exisitng referendums, we just can't afford to lose the local funding.   

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Dear Representative/Senator,

K-12 education needs your support. 

 
As my legislator, I am asking you to protect Minnesota's future prosperity by standing up for our schools today.   Our schools cannot afford any further cuts to funding.  I'd also like to see the unalottment education payment shift put into law.  Without doing so, a large portion of funding for our schools could be in jeopardy.

 
Please speak with your leadership and let them know how important K-12 education is to your constituents. 
 
Sincerely,

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Dear Representative/Senator,

I recognize that times are rough.  My concern lies with my child's education.  Next year, my son will be in [first] grade and it is [his] one chance to be a [first] grader.  He won't get a do-over when economic times improve.  If his class balloons to 40 students and all support is cut (which is possible if drastic cuts are imposed by the state), how will he ever get the base he needs to succeed academically?
 
The lost opportunities for him and the other children in his classroom can never be recovered.  Aren't we all depending on these very children to be our future workforce?  If we expect to depend on them in the future, they must be able to depend on US now!  Please protect education funding.  By doing that, Minnesota will treat education as the priority that it is.  
 
Please speak with your leadership and let them know how important our schools are to the people in your district. 
 
Sincerely,

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Dear Representative/Senator,

The Minnesota Constitution states:  "The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it is the duty of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools.  The legislature shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as will secure a thorough and efficient system of public schools throughout the state."
 
The size of the deficit is staggering.  The only responsible solution will contain a thoughtful combination of budget cuts and revenue increases.  People in the state of Minnesota understand this and we need our leaders to work together to find a solution that deals with the immediate problem while working towards a long term vision of a stronger and more vibrant Minnesota.  That vision must put the education of our children first.  The governor and our legislators need to honor their constitutional obligation to provide for our schools.   It's the right thing to do for our children and our state.

I ask as you balance the budget that you protect our public schools and prevent any further cuts to education funding.  Also, the unallotment shift needs to be put into law.  A shift is better than an outright cut!  Please give our elected school board members the right to renew expiring referendums.  Our school board should have the same rights as the local cities and counties.

 
Sincerely,
 
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Dear Representative/Senator,

I understand that these are extremely challenging times.  Decision will have to be made that will take a real toll on people's lives.  I am asking you, as a leader in this state, to look past the present and lead us into a more promising future.  A highly educated work force has always been Minnesota's greatest asset.  Education is the engine that drives Minnesota's economic growth.  Therefore, K-12 education must be the state's number one priority. 
 
For the past 17 years, the basic formula has not kept pace with inflation.  Our greatest asset is already under great stress.  Further funding cuts will threaten the very survival of our schools. Please protect K-12 education funding from any additional reductions and put the unallotment shift into law.  Without doing this, a very large portion of funding for our schools could disappear. 

 
Thank you for listening.
 
Sincerely,