Forum with Hamden Legislators January 8, 2009

On the first draft of our January 8 PTA Educational Forum announcement (below), one of the bullet points was "lower quality of schools and lower test scores." Supt. Rabinowitz commented that she didn't think that a diminished education budget would have any impact on her ability to maintain the quality of our schools and their test scores, so I took it out. I really hope she's right; if anybody can work that kind of magic, it's Fran.

Even with such a miracle worker, we need every able-bodied person in Hamden to insist that educational funding at the State level be maintained. We're not asking for more, just to maintain the status quo. If they want to cut 12% from ECS funding, cut it from what WE SHOULD GET not what we DO get.

Make sure your legislators and Governor Rell hear your opinions and suggestions on how to do that. Here's your opportunity:

Tell your legislators “NO! You can’t reduce

Hamden’s educational funding!”

at the Hamden PTA Council/Board of Ed Forum

with CT Legislators
Thursday, January 8, 6:30 PM
Hamden Middle School Cafeteria

Babysitting provided by Hamden High Cheerleaders

For Hamden, cuts in educational funding at the state level could mean:

• Fewer teachers and larger class sizes
• Wintergreen Magnet losing its charter and becoming a Hamden Public School
• Less funding for art, music and TAG programs
• Less electives and career programs
• Fewer offerings from Adult Education
• Higher property taxes

This could lead to:

• Resident flight to other towns
• Hamden High dropping out of top 35 high schools in the state
• Hamden no longer being #33 in Fortune’s top 100 towns to start and own a small business

“How can I stop this threat to my thriving town?
I’m just one person.”

You are ONE of MANY who will voice your opinion and solutions to our state legislators and the Governor. YOU elected them and they work for YOU.

Join us on Thursday, January 8th and/or…

Call or email your legislators.
· Sen. Martin Looney, 800-842-1420
Looney@senatedems.ct.gov
· Sen. Joe Crisco, 800-842-1420
Crisco@senatedems.ct.gov
· Rep. Brendan Sharkey, 800-842-8267 / 203-281-4647
Brendan.Sharkey@cga.ct.gov
· Rep. Peter Villano, 800-842-8267 / 203-562-5251
Peter.Villano@cga.ct.gov
· Rep. Cam Staples, 800-842-8267 / 203-773-9123
Cam9123@hotmail.com
· Rep. Elizabeth Esty, 800-842-8267 / 203-271-3248
ElizabethEsty08@gmail.com

Write letters to the editor of the Hamden Chronicle and New Haven Register.
· hamdenchronicle@ctcentral.com
· letters@nhregister.com

Review the budget and give Governor Rell feedback at www.ct.gov/governorrell.

Share this information with your friends and family and ask them to take action with you.Things always work out better when we work together

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, January 8, 6:30 at the Hamden Middle School.

Marjorie