Thank you for all the calls you have made to your legislators about education bills that threaten our children’s public schools. Please keep those calls going! The deadline for first-round action on these bills is Thursday, and legislators need to be reminded that you are watching their votes.
I promise to let you know how your legislators vote on these bills.
Please ask your representative to:
• VOTE NO on HB 1036 – Voucher bill that would allow thousands of students to take MAEP dollars to private schools by expanding dyslexia vouchers. Could divert millions of dollars away from public schools and into private schools.
• VOTE NO on HB 1294 – MAEP revamp “dummy” bill. Brings forward current statute for revisions without specifying changes. Gov. Bryant and Lt. Gov. Reeves have stated that a goal is to remove from the law any requirement that the Legislature fund public schools at a particular level.
• VOTE NO on HB 267 – Changes the way school board members are selected. Electing all board members at the time of the statewide or presidential election paves the way for out-of-state privatizers to recruit and fund candidates and take over your local school board.
• VOTE NO on HB 293 – Shortens school year by ten days. Research shows that sufficient time on task is a significant indicator in student achievement.
• VOTE NO on HB 580 – Brings forward current statute related to virtual schools for the purpose of unspecified amendments. Could be amended to allow virtual charters.
Please ask your senator to:
• VOTE NO on SB 2607 – MAEP revamp “dummy” bill. Brings forward current statute for revisions without specifying changes. Gov. Bryant and Lt. Gov. Reeves have stated that a goal is to remove from the law any requirement that the Legislature fund public schools at a particular level.
• VOTE NO on SB 2036 – Requires school board members who are currently elected to stand for election at the time of the statewide election every four years (no staggered terms). Paves the way for out-of-state privatizers to recruit and fund candidates and take over your local school board.
Find contact information for all legislators in your school district.
You can leave a message for any legislator at the Capitol switchboard: 601.359.3770
Share the same message with:
Lt. Gov. Reeves Capitol: 601.359.3200
Speaker Gunn Capitol: 601.359.3300
Legislators tell me that your calls and visits are making a difference! Please ask others you know to join our effort and call their legislators. Our children are counting on us. And, together, we’ve got this!
