|
We’re just one month into the New Year and it is already a tough budget year for public education with the governor’s recently proposed budget shorting public schools and colleges by more than $2.4 billion — that’s on top of the $17 billion cut over the last two years. CTA is taking a stand against these cuts by joining in a statewide day of action for our students and the future of California on March 4.
The CTA Board of Directors approved the recommendation from State Council to participate in a spring statewide day of action to support funding for public education and other social services. We are asking every member to participate in demonstrations and activities at their school on the morning of March 4 before school starts. We are asking you to help lead this effort and “Start the Day for Students” as part of our ongoing campaign to make our voices heard about the painful effects of these cuts on students and teaching, and to engage our communities in supporting public education and building a better California for all of us.
CTA’s “Start the Day for Students” actions will be part of a larger day of protests that includes college students, faculty and other labor unions. Local chapters and schools will have the flexibility to do various actions and activities, but we are targeting our actions in the morning to encourage and make it easier for more members to participate, and to capitalize on the early morning news coverage. We need an immense number of actions across the state that morning to convey just how desperate the situation has become in our schools. CTA also supports the other activities going on throughout the day and encourages members to attend those events as they like. I know some local chapters have already planned events on that day.
You will be getting more information soon, but we need everyone to save the date and start planning now. March 4 is a key opportunity for every CTA member to “Start the Day for Students” to bring attention to the real victims of education cuts and to encourage parents and community members to do the same.
We must also use this day as part of our first step toward reforming the state’s tax structure and providing additional revenues for schools, colleges and other critical services. This starts with closing the corporate tax breaks that were handed out to the state’s largest corporations last year. When class sizes are increasing, educators are being laid off and taxpayers are paying more, everyone must be paying their fair share.
Take urgent action now to save our students and our future. Join “Start the Day for Students” on March 4! We must stand up for students, public education and our future.
| 
