First off, get educated on why our schools are taking such a big hit. E-mail or call the governor’s office (visit gov.ca.gov or call: 916.445.2841; Riverside office: 951.680.6860; Los Angeles office: 213.897.0322) or call your local legislator.
“A lot of legislators are saying they’re not hearing enough from people. Take 2 minutes and make a difference. Call and say, ‘I want to support Proposition 98 and I want public education to be a priority,’ and then find 5 other people who will do the same thing,” suggests Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl.
> Support your school’s PTA, education foundation or other school-advocacy and/or fund-raising organization. These groups have lobbying power and can directly fund educational programs slated for the chopping block.
> Support school bond measures. The Santa Ana Unified School District, for example, urges parents to vote for the district’s $200 million bond on the June 3 ballot to improve Santa Ana schools.
> Write a letter to protest budget cuts. Check the Saddleback Valley Unified School District’s website (svusd.k12.ca.us) for sample letters. Write to the governor, state legislators and the newspaper. “Parents need to be informed and speak out, and not take the stance that everything will work out,” says Orange County teacher Patty O’Neill.
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