Stop the cuts and #FundOurFuture!

A storm is coming to Florida's public schools in the middle of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. According to the Orlando Sentinel, "Public schools need $200 billion in financial aid or could have to layoff 275,000 teachers nationwide, leading to an “educational catastrophe” that “could weaken the country’s economic foundation for years to come,” said the letter released Tuesday from the Council of the Great City Schools." We already see teachers seeing their positions declared 'surplus' - meaning that they are laid off until they can find a school within the district that can afford their position. We have been fortunate in 'normal' years to see educators find another school in their district that can afford to fund their position. If these dire predictions hold true, there will be educators and education staff professionals who will be subjected to what is called a 'reduction in force' - meaning that there is absolutely no funding available for their position anywhere in the district. What I am afraid of is that public education stakeholders and advocates will be caught sleeping when state legislatures meet to discuss how they will handle the inevitable decline in revenue that would have otherwise financed public education. This is where I believe in the adage, "If you don't have a seat at the table, you're on the menu." It is my hope that we mobilize proactively to advocate for public education. You can wear your support with a 'Stop the Cuts' t-shirt. I am raising money to support my state and national advocacy groups and I need your help. Please order a shirt today and invite your friends. ORDER YOUR STOP THE CUTS T-SHIRT #FundOurFuture