Forum to Fund Schools

Posted by Editor (editor) on Feb 22 2011
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Statement of the Asheville City Schools Foundation
In response to statewide budget cuts to public education, we the board and staff of the Asheville City Schools Foundation support a balanced approach to the North Carolina budget for 2011 that includes making our existing proven public schools, K-12, a funding priority.
·         We support extending the temporary 1%  sales tax so that we may maintain our small classes, schools, and districts because these are the environments that are best for children.
·         We ask the Governor to veto any legislation that uses funds allocated for existing public schools to expand charter schools without holding them accountable to the same standards as our schools. We oppose the share of restricted state dollars with schools that do not serve the students those dollars were intended for or provide the programs those dollars were meant to provide.
·         We oppose the elimination of city school districts through legislation that funds only one district per county because our city schools district represents the diversity of our community and allows us to address needs that wouldn't otherwise be addressed by a larger merged system.

 

Currently, the NC legislature is working to balance the budget for North Carolina. The prediction is that North Carolina could see across-the-board budget cuts of up to 10% in public education. At the same time, the NC legislature proposes to provide corporate tax cuts, tax based incentives to families who send their children to private schools, and incentives for communities to start new charter schools across the state. We think that the legislature should invest first in our existing public schools before they invest in unknown and private schools.
 

Additionally, we think that a balanced budget must include revenue streams. Extending the current sales tax is one tangible solution. Right now, members of the NC legislature have pledged to let the NC sales tax increase expire. Let them know that you would like to do your part to support public education.

These proposed budget cuts are only predictions. You do have a voice and can make a difference. Join us Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Asheville High School auditorium to find out more about what you can do. Sign up now for Action Alerts, to keep updated weekly on these important issues.


We believe that a quality education is the right of every child not just a privileged few. Go Public! by speaking out in favor of our public schools

Last changed: Feb 24 2011 at 12:14 PM

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