3 Actions YOU Can Do To Make a Difference

For the past few weeks we have been sharing information with our school community regarding the devastating action taken by the governor and legislature in the state budget bill adopted back in June.  As you recall, the budget bill limited all funding for public schools based on last school year, thereby limiting the ability of schools to take new students.
Currently our Ocean Grove charter school has over 1500 families waiting to get in.  Many of these families have children with special needs and/or family circumstances that make it impossible to return to their previous school.  Due to the actions of the legislature and governor, these families are now being denied entry into alternative schools because there is simply no funding for these new students.  What’s worse, is the legislature is going to send the money to the previous school where there may be far fewer children served.

The California legislature is currently in recess but will reconvene next week on July 27th.  At that time, it is expected that the legislature will attempt to address only budget-related issues including per-pupil funding for schools.  Now is the time for our Ocean Grove community to make your voice heard to our governor and legislature. I am asking you to speak up to preserve parent choice and fund all public school students including growth. 

There are three specific calls to action you can do to make a difference:

Things you can do today:

1. Sign APLUS+’s petition to Restore Per-Pupil Funding for All Kids in All Growing Public Schools. This is a petition specific to charter schools funding of growth.  Messaging is provided.
2. Sign petition from EdVoice to Fund ALL Students  This is a broad petition that will gather signatures across the state including low-socioeconomic communities, special education communities, growing school districts and charter schools.  Messaging is provided.

Things you can do between July 20 and August 3rd (and possibly longer).

Beginning today and extending through next week, is the critical time to contact your legislative representative and Governor with the following “Make sure every public school student is funded including new growth.  This should include school districts and charter schools.  The current budget language does not fund growth and creates funding inequity for California children who must change schools.” 

You can call and/or write in as frequently as you like, and of course are always welcome to personalize your message.  We are rotating schools to help lighten the load for our families and ensure we keep up the pressure.  I will send out a reminder each week to the specific school and we will be posting on our Facebook page.

All The Best,

Cynthia Rachel

IEM School Communications and Development Director