It's always best to write in your own words but if you are stuck, these samples might get you started.    You might find more ideas to add to  samples in these Talking Points.

 

Feel free to cut and paste all or portions of any letter.  I encourage you to edit a sample letter to reflect your voice. If you are able, add personal stories about how dwindling resources are impacting your children's learning opportunities.  State elected officials are thinking dollars, budgets and bills.  We need them to see our children and the good things our schools are doing.   

 

(Fill in you legislators last names in the beginning of the letter and always include your name, address and phone number at the end)

 

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Dear Representative/Senator,

 

I wanted to let you know how I appreciate that both the House and the Senate are working to protect education funding.  As I understand, the funding proposed is an increase from last year.  In these difficult economic times, I realize that was hard to do. 

 

Please continue to support the proposed funding for our schools and talk with your colleagues to ask them to do the same. 

 

 

Sincerely,

Name,

Address

Phone number

 

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Dear Representative/Senator,

 

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 once again to our schools, how will [he] ever get the what he needs to succeed academically?

 

Thanks to the House and Senate for increasing education funding!  Clearly, our schools are a priority for you.  Please continue to be a champion for the current funding proposals and speak with your leadership to let them know how important our schools are to the people in your district. 

 

Sincerely,

Name,

Address

Phone number

 

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Dear Representative/Senator,

  

We cannot afford cuts in funding for public education and I am happy to see that both the House and Senate are standing up for our schools in their education finance bills!  For the past 20 years the basic formula has increased on average of ~1.5% while inflation has increased 3%.  Therefore every year our schools received only half of what they needed just to keep up with inflation, let alone address the additional state and federal mandates.   

 

We need a well-educated work force that will ensure our future prosperity.  Please continue to support the current funding proposals for our schools.  I know that will be challenging but it is vital for the sucess of our students and our state.

  

Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

Name,

Address

Phone number