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Tell the House Appropriations Committee: Don't cut education!
Stop the cuts to education!
- $219 million to colleges and universities
- Almost $200 million in total cuts to elementary and secondary education
The House Appropriations Committee is the first stop for Governor Bobby Jindal's proposed state budget. If we want to make education the state's top priority, this is where we must start.
We believe the governor made very unfortunate choices when he wrote his budget.
The governor wants to spend more money on vouchers for religious schools, more money for consultants and contractors, and more money for a new accountability system. But his proposed cuts to public education are disastrous.
His $219 million cut to higher education will slash important programs in every college, university, community college and technical school in the state. The permanent damage these cuts will cause to the economic development of the state is incalculable.
The governor also plans deep cuts that will affect teachers, school employees and the students we serve in elementary and secondary schools. Money for professional development, instructional programs and some salary supplements will disappear.
On top of that, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted a Minimum Foundation Program that, for the first time, does not include a 2.75% growth factor. Pay raises and programs that depend on growth in the MFP will suffer.
Many of these cuts could be avoided if the state would spend $258 million that is available in the "rainy day fund" - we believe the rainy day is here!
By taking action on this issue, you will send a message to members of the House Appropriations Committee. We are asking them to:
- Restore the $219 million in cuts to higher education.
- Restore $133.4 million to the Department of Education budget for professional development and salary supplements, $18.1 million to improve student achievement, and $39.1 million for other important programs.
- Tell BESE that the 2.75% growth factor must be applied to the MFP.
- Use the $258 million available in the rainy day fund to offset budget cuts.
- Demand that Governor Jindal and BESE make improving public education their first priority.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please save funding for public education!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Please reconsider Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan for education spending. I believe the cuts proposed for higher education and K-12 schools are shortsighted and wrong.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, you have the power to correct these errors.
The proposed $219 million cut to higher education will slash important programs in every college, university, community college and technical school in Louisiana. The permanent damage these cuts will cause to the economic development of the state is incalculable.
The deep cuts planned for elementary and secondary education will hurt teachers, school employees and the students they serve.
More than $130 million will be cut from public education programs. Where does the ax fall? On professional development for teachers, salary supplements for national certification, remedial instruction for students, high school redesign, school technology and other vital programs for our schools.
For the first time ever, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education proposes a Minimum Foundation Program without a 2.75% growth factor. That money is needed to maintain local programs and teacher salaries.
The governor wants to spend more money on vouchers for religious schools, more money for consultants and contractors, and more money for more standardized testing. But his proposed cuts to public education are disastrous.
Here is what we are asking:
* Restore the $219 million in cuts to higher education.
* Restore $133.4 million to the Department of Education budget for professional development and salary supplements, $18.1 million to improve student achievement, and $39.1 million for other important programs.
* Tell BESE that the 2.75% growth factor must be applied to the MFP.
* Use the $258 million available in the rainy day fund to offset budget cuts.
* Demand that Governor Jindal and BESE make improving public education their first priority.
Sincerely,
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