Post by doctorwho on Apr 14, 2010 14:16:54 GMT -6
D204 parents, students caravan to Springfield
Seek restoration of education funding
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2159066,D204-funding-Springfield-parents-NA041410.article
April 14, 2010
By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com
SPRINGFIELD - Even in Emily Plass' third-grade class at Brooks Elementary School, the proposed budget cuts are a topic of discussion among students.
"They say, 'Oh, I wish we could have that many teachers, and we could have art and music," said Emily, who was traveling on a bus Wednesday morning to Springfield.
School District 204 parents protesting education funding cuts gather in the Stratton Building in Springfield Wednesday morning. Parent Sheri Tatar (center) of Aurora discusses the day's schedule.
(Brian Powers/Staff photographer)
The Aurora student has been playing drums for the past year, and word of cuts to programs as a result of Gov. Pat Quinn's proposal to slash $1.3 billion from state education funding next year has her worried if her music studies will continue.
Because of her concerns, Emily decided to forgo class for the day and join her mother, Cathy, and brother, Alex, on the "Caravan to the Capital," organized by a group of District 204 parents. Sporting black T-shirts with "Restore Education Funding" printed on the back, approximately 30 parents and students left from Fox Valley Mall early Wednesday morning.
The group is hoping to take its message to state lawmakers in Springfield today. The group has tentative meetings with House Minority Leader Tom Cross, state Reps. Darlene Senger and Mike Connelly, and state Sen. Linda Holmes.
--Can't wait to see if some of the same people that ripped Linda Holmes mercilessly during quick take will think she's forgotten that
"With all of these, there is the possibility they may get pulled away to something different," said Lori Price, one of the parents who helped organize the trip.
Members of the group also hope to pull representatives from the General Assembly floor to share their thoughts.
While originally the group expected between 50 and 60 people to travel with them by bus to Springfield, some opted to drive themselves. Traveling with the caravan are two District 204 board members, Cathy Piehl and Sue Rasmus. Some members of the caravan's Facebook pages from other school districts indicated they would meet up with the group during the day. During lunch, the group was joined by two people from West Aurora School District and one from a district in Springfield.
--you mean they didn't bring Dawn Desart to meet with Darlene Senger ? Imagine that !
"People said they will meet us from other districts," Price said. "We don't have an actual number of who's coming from where."
Among those who will be meeting the caravan are Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and Alderman Richard Irvin, who are in the Capital for other reasons and want to lend their support.
--anything to do with the shiny new school we put in the corner of their town ?
The state budget cuts are forcing Indian Prairie District 204 to cut $12.2 million from its 2011 budget — a figure that is in addition to the $9.2 million it already had to trim earlier this year. Among the ways measures taken by the district to make up for the funding shortfall is the layoff of 145 non-tenured teachers, changes In program offerings and increased fees.
Some students said they are already seeing the effects — emotional ones — of the layoffs.
"They say, 'Oh, my friend won't have a job in this school anymore, so we can't talk at lunch,'" Emily said.
"One of my teachers was almost crying because one of her friends got let go," said Naperville's Michelle Dillman, a senior at Waubonsie Valley High School. "It really affects the teachers."
Many of the students of the students on the trip worried about what the budget cuts mean to some of their favorite activities. Kathy Tatar, a senior at Waubonsie Valley, spent the past eight years studying violin. Even though she graduates this year, she's worried about the music program and other activities will look like for her siblings.
"People were saying they were going to cut art programs, so I decided to come," said Alex, a freshman at Metea Valley.
After showing promise in sculpting and jewelry making, he wants to continue his studies, and is afraid funding cuts won't allow that to happen.
"It's kind of deciding your future," he said of his decision to come. He said it's hard to tell if their efforts will work. But he's hoping one thing works in their favor.
"The kids are the future voters," Alex said.
Before breaking for lunch, Price distributed contact information for the officials, as well as key points they want to drive home. The group wants the state to restore school funding for next year at this year's level — something they say can be accomplished by reprioritizing in the state budget. No tax increase in needed, they said. And the solution should not be a quick fix.
"We want them to have a full-year budget," Price said. "Otherwise, it doesn't do districts any good to have a six-month budget. It doesn't bring teachers back, and it doesn't decrease class size."
Michelle said not many people are aware of the proposed budget cuts, and if more knew, they'd be upset.
-- they'd be even more upset if the district told them the truth about the $150 debacle on Eola
"It really affects the future of our country and our students," Michelle said.
She and Kathy are hoping the meetings with lawmakers will take place as scheduled.
"We hope they listen," Kathy said.
"At least consider what we say," Michelle said.
Comment at napersun.com
Seek restoration of education funding
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2159066,D204-funding-Springfield-parents-NA041410.article
April 14, 2010
By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com
SPRINGFIELD - Even in Emily Plass' third-grade class at Brooks Elementary School, the proposed budget cuts are a topic of discussion among students.
"They say, 'Oh, I wish we could have that many teachers, and we could have art and music," said Emily, who was traveling on a bus Wednesday morning to Springfield.
School District 204 parents protesting education funding cuts gather in the Stratton Building in Springfield Wednesday morning. Parent Sheri Tatar (center) of Aurora discusses the day's schedule.
(Brian Powers/Staff photographer)
The Aurora student has been playing drums for the past year, and word of cuts to programs as a result of Gov. Pat Quinn's proposal to slash $1.3 billion from state education funding next year has her worried if her music studies will continue.
Because of her concerns, Emily decided to forgo class for the day and join her mother, Cathy, and brother, Alex, on the "Caravan to the Capital," organized by a group of District 204 parents. Sporting black T-shirts with "Restore Education Funding" printed on the back, approximately 30 parents and students left from Fox Valley Mall early Wednesday morning.
The group is hoping to take its message to state lawmakers in Springfield today. The group has tentative meetings with House Minority Leader Tom Cross, state Reps. Darlene Senger and Mike Connelly, and state Sen. Linda Holmes.
--Can't wait to see if some of the same people that ripped Linda Holmes mercilessly during quick take will think she's forgotten that
"With all of these, there is the possibility they may get pulled away to something different," said Lori Price, one of the parents who helped organize the trip.
Members of the group also hope to pull representatives from the General Assembly floor to share their thoughts.
While originally the group expected between 50 and 60 people to travel with them by bus to Springfield, some opted to drive themselves. Traveling with the caravan are two District 204 board members, Cathy Piehl and Sue Rasmus. Some members of the caravan's Facebook pages from other school districts indicated they would meet up with the group during the day. During lunch, the group was joined by two people from West Aurora School District and one from a district in Springfield.
--you mean they didn't bring Dawn Desart to meet with Darlene Senger ? Imagine that !
"People said they will meet us from other districts," Price said. "We don't have an actual number of who's coming from where."
Among those who will be meeting the caravan are Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and Alderman Richard Irvin, who are in the Capital for other reasons and want to lend their support.
--anything to do with the shiny new school we put in the corner of their town ?
The state budget cuts are forcing Indian Prairie District 204 to cut $12.2 million from its 2011 budget — a figure that is in addition to the $9.2 million it already had to trim earlier this year. Among the ways measures taken by the district to make up for the funding shortfall is the layoff of 145 non-tenured teachers, changes In program offerings and increased fees.
Some students said they are already seeing the effects — emotional ones — of the layoffs.
"They say, 'Oh, my friend won't have a job in this school anymore, so we can't talk at lunch,'" Emily said.
"One of my teachers was almost crying because one of her friends got let go," said Naperville's Michelle Dillman, a senior at Waubonsie Valley High School. "It really affects the teachers."
Many of the students of the students on the trip worried about what the budget cuts mean to some of their favorite activities. Kathy Tatar, a senior at Waubonsie Valley, spent the past eight years studying violin. Even though she graduates this year, she's worried about the music program and other activities will look like for her siblings.
"People were saying they were going to cut art programs, so I decided to come," said Alex, a freshman at Metea Valley.
After showing promise in sculpting and jewelry making, he wants to continue his studies, and is afraid funding cuts won't allow that to happen.
"It's kind of deciding your future," he said of his decision to come. He said it's hard to tell if their efforts will work. But he's hoping one thing works in their favor.
"The kids are the future voters," Alex said.
Before breaking for lunch, Price distributed contact information for the officials, as well as key points they want to drive home. The group wants the state to restore school funding for next year at this year's level — something they say can be accomplished by reprioritizing in the state budget. No tax increase in needed, they said. And the solution should not be a quick fix.
"We want them to have a full-year budget," Price said. "Otherwise, it doesn't do districts any good to have a six-month budget. It doesn't bring teachers back, and it doesn't decrease class size."
Michelle said not many people are aware of the proposed budget cuts, and if more knew, they'd be upset.
-- they'd be even more upset if the district told them the truth about the $150 debacle on Eola
"It really affects the future of our country and our students," Michelle said.
She and Kathy are hoping the meetings with lawmakers will take place as scheduled.
"We hope they listen," Kathy said.
"At least consider what we say," Michelle said.
Comment at napersun.com
