CUT$ HURT KIDS -

TIME TO SPEAK UP!

Unless the Legislature acts quickly, the Governor has said he will present an all-cuts budget within the week. This would mean an additional $4 billion to $5 billion reduction to K-12 education and even more drastic cuts, on top of the $18 billion that has previously been cut in the last three years. Are we willing to see our school year get even shorter? Close our school libraries? Crowd more students into each classroom? Lose our counselors, classroom aides, reading specialists and more? See the end of music, art and drama in our schools? What kind of future do we want for our children and our state? Now, more than ever, your voice is needed to speak up and let our elected officials know that CUT$ HURT KIDS!

What can you do?  Multiple opportunities listed below:

• Sign and Send Letters to the Governor and legislative leaders (all month) - instructions and letters are on our website.
   
• Call or email your local legislators- click here to take action.
   
• Join the Week of Action "State of Emergency" Rally on Friday, May 13, at 4:00 p.m. at the United Nations Plaza at the San Francisco Civic Center.  California State PTA president-elect Carol Kocivar will speak.  To download and print CUT$ HURT KIDS signs, click here. 
   
• Attend a School Finance 101 Workshop Monday, May 16, 7:00 pm. at the Contra Costa County Office of Education in Pleasant Hill.  RSVPs by May 12; see flyer on our website
   
• Take Action and Unite for EDUCATION on Wednesday, May 18, from 3:00-4:00p at the Todos Santos Plaza, 2151 Salvio Street, Concord. Join Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (head of the Assembly Subcommittee on Education Finance) to discuss education matters relating to the California state budget.
   
• Attend a Town Hall Meeting on the State Budget on Thursday, May 19, from 7:00-9:00pm at the San Ramon Community Center, 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon.  Join State Senator Mark De Saulnier and share your concerns and ideas for improving state government budgeting, programs and tax systems.
   
• Join a "Wake Up California!" rally on Tuesday, May 24, from 7:00-8:00am at Lafayette Plaza Park.  Hosted by Lafayette for Education and Educate Our State.  Educate Our State is a parent-led, non-partisan, statewide campaign to unite the voice of Californians in support of high-quality K-12 public education.  Lafayette for Education is a community of parents, teachers, administrators and community activists that want schools to be excellent and well funded.

The California State PTA and the California Chamber of Commerce agree - the temporary revenues must be extended to stop additional deep cuts to schools. Investing in education is essential for an effective workforce and a strong economy.