Thank you so much to all of the people who  came to the budget hearing  on Wednesday  night to show support for reinstating three teacher positions in the  elementary schools.  We had a strong coherent message.  
 
According to the proposed budget, the three  teacher positions will still be lost.  Twenty-four classrooms  throughout the City will have 27-29  students.  Our struggles are not over.   As a community we need to advocate for  increased education funding at city and state levels.  It is important to  note that in Worcester, we are in the bottom 1% of giving above the foundation  budget in the state.   Average urban  environments similar to Worcester, add in 5% above their minimum  contribution.  Worcester in prior years has been under foundation  budget.  This year it is proposing to meet just the minimum.  Our school system continues to be underfunded. 
 
We  urge you to contact the city manager and the city councilors  to encourage them to increase their  contribution to the foundation budget above the minimum required. A 1% increase  alone could restore  teaching positions  throughout our city.  Also, continue to encourage our state  officials to increase spending for education in Worcester.

There will be a meeting of the City Council  to address the school budget on Tuesday, May 29 at 5:00 at City Hall.  We  need to have a strong presence at this meeting and have a unified voice for increasing educational funding for the  children of the WPS.  
 
Please help us  advocate for our children. These are time sensitive issues and we need your  help today! 
 
Families can help by:
 
*Writing to  our City Manager:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
*Writing to  our City Councilors:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
**Writing to  our State Rep:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
**Writing to  our Senators:  www.malegislature.gov/People/FindMyLegislator
 

Attend the  City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 29 at 5pm, City  Hall
 
To Learn more  about the Foundation Budget:

http://youtu.be/PcqrXFOmdwY

http://youtu.be/7vysDhLSfpc

http://www.facebook.com/CPPAC

http://www.massbudget.org/report_window.php?loc=Facts_10_22_10.html
 
*As a suggestion you can  simply write to our city officials:  "Classroom sizes in the City of  Worcester are less than adequate. We need additional funding to restore  classroom teachers.  Increase Worcester's contribution to foundation budget  above the minimum required.  Our children need and deserve this to  succeed."  
**As a suggestion you can simply write to our State officials:  "Classroom  sizes in the City of Worcester are less than adequate. We need additional  funding to restore classroom teachers.  Adjust and direct adequate funding  to the City of Worcester for Education.  Our children need and deserve this  to succeed."