Budget cuts are unfair and harmful to children. Not just at PS 321 but at all the schools in  New York City. The PTA at PS 321 wants its parents to take action on behalf of their school and all the public schools. These budget cuts must be stopped! They are asking that parents take a moment to call or email the school chancellor or their city council member (call David Yassky, call Bill DiBlasio). Also, read the articles in the Sun and the Daily News mention below. Inside Schools is also an important resourse. Here’s the letter that I just got from PS 321’s PTA presidents.

Dear Parents,

Last Thursday, our principal Liz Phillips wrote to you about the immediate and unexpected school budget cuts and their impact on PS 321.  To recap, for the rest of this school year our children will not receive some important supplies, including new math books; professional development for our teachers will be minimized; and vital academic intervention services for our children will be cut or reduced.  For more information on how these cuts are hurting schools around New York City, go to www.Insideschools.org.

These budget cuts are unfair and harmful to our children.  They must be stopped, especially in light of recent news articles highlighting the waste at the Department of Education (DOE) with its practice of no-bid contracts, including $80 million spent on practice tests; its recent increase in the number of central employees; and its inflated salaries for many of its top executives (New York Sun, February 8-10, 2008; Daily News, December 18, 2007).

So, what can you do?  Take action!

1. Email Schools Chancellor Joel Klein today and demand that he restore these budget cuts immediately.  Tell him these cuts should be made centrally at the Department of Education, not off the backs of our children.

2. Call or email your city council member and tell them you want to see these budget cuts restored immediately.  They need to know that parents are angry about these cuts at the school level and the waste at the DOE.  If you have time, contact your state reps as well.

3. Join citywide students, parents, teachers and principals for a march on the Department of Education to demand a restoration of the cuts.  The march will take place on Thursday, February 14, at 4:00 PM at DOE headquarters (52 Chambers Street, New York, NY – just north of City Hall).

Our voices must be heard – it’s the only way we can make a change!  So, please take a minute to call or email, and if you can, join us for a march on the DOE.  For more information, contact Martha Foote (Martha_foote@hotmail.com) . To read principal’s comments on Inside Schools News & Views, click here: www.insideschools.org/nv/NV_principals_budgets_feb08.php?hp .

To read the Feb. 7 New York Post article about the cuts, click here: www.nypost.com/seven/02072008/news/regionalnews/a_real_pain_in_the_cla_667183.htm.  Thank you!

Sincerely,

Wesley Weissberg                                         Julie Markes

PTA Co-President                                          PTA Co-President

Phone numbers and email addresses:

Schools Chancellor Joel Klein

jklein@schools.nyc.gov

City Council Member Bill de Blasio                         City Council Member David Yassky

718-854-9791                                                             718-875-5200

deblasio@council.nyc.ny.us                                      yassky@council.nyc.ny.us

Council Member Robert Jackson, Chair of the Council’s Education Committee

Phone: 212-788-7007
Email: jackson@council.nyc.ny.us

Council Member Christine Quinn, Speaker of the Council
Phone: 718-788-7210
Email: quinn@council.nyc.ny.us