Save Our Schools!
Baltimore Education Coalition
Governor O’Malley is is proposing changes in education funding that will result in a loss of more than $30 million for Baltimore City students and teachers. Inevitably, these cuts to education, which are on top of cuts made during the 2007 special session, will have to come from the classrooms, not just at Baltimore City Public School headquarters. It is likely that teacher and other school staff jobs will be lost, class size will increase, and many of the already lacking art and music programs will be gutted. Further, out of $140 million proposed state education funding cut, over 50% will be absorbed by Prince George’s County and Baltimore City. This proposal is utterly inequitable, unfair, and unconstitutional!
Our Message and Goals
Education is a Constitutional Right!
Providing an “thorough and efficient” education is a Maryland State Constitutional Mandate. The “Thornton” law (aka Bridge to Excellence Act of 2002), a delicately balanced compilation of education funding formulas, was adopted by the state legislature in 2002 to fulfill their mandate. With this new funding structure, Baltimore City is finally able to compete with neighboring higher wealth districts, by attracting better teachers and other school staff and having more funds for facility and administrative operations. Since Thornton was adopted, student achievement has increased significantly and Baltimore City and minority populations statewide have shown record academic gains. The proposed changes to Thornton and education laws will significantly undermine the state’s progress of ensuring adequacy and equity in public education statewide.
Reject all changes to the “Thornton” and education laws that would decrease education funding
Maintain full funding of the Aging Schools Program for our crumbling school facilities
Advocate the use of federal stimulus discretionary “stabilization” funds to fully fund education and to avoid the need change education laws
Two Major Actions That Are Absolutely Critical
1. Email and/or Call Your State Representatives! [link - https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1225]
* Our City Delegates and Senators are NOT hearing enough from us. Emailing and calling them takes a quick moment and will ensure that their constituents are watching them.
2. Attend Rally in Annapolis on Tuesday, March 3rd, 6-8pm! [ send an email to patinella@aclu
* Join your city neighbors in a demonstration that will show our representatives and Governor that these cuts to Baltimore City is inequitable, unfair, and unconstitutional!
* Email Frank at patinella@aclu-md.org to RSVP. Buses leave at 4:30pm from various school locations, detail will follow through email.
