Sometimes, there are ideas not worth the paper they are written on...
CHARTER SCHOOLS...
"Decline to sign!" A catchy little phrase, but an important one in this election year... Once again there are those "out there" who want to totally change the existing K-12 education framework to be more inline with "for-profit" corporations who want our kids to be educated the "corporate way" as corporations think children should be educated...
Again, there is a push by "corporate dollars" to get the initiative I-1240 for charter schools on the ballot - an initiative that was rejected by the voters THREE TIMES (what part of NO do these people not understand?)... Here's what the "League of Women Voters of Kitsap" have to say about that (we qoute):
Again, there is a push by "corporate dollars" to get the initiative I-1240 for charter schools on the ballot - an initiative that was rejected by the voters THREE TIMES (what part of NO do these people not understand?)... Here's what the "League of Women Voters of Kitsap" have to say about that (we qoute):
"Founded by activists who secured voting rights for women, the League of Women Voters has always worked to promote the values and processes of representative government. The League believes in an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive – one that assures opportunities for citizen participation in government decision-making.
Because of these deeply held convictions, League of Women Voters of WA led the opposition of the two charter school initiatives and the referendum in 1996, 2000 and 2004 that were rejected by the voters. And we oppose HB 2428 and SB 6202 for the following reasons:
• Private boards selected by non-profit corporations rather than publicly elected by citizens will govern charter schools. Voters will lose their right to elect representatives to oversee the spending of their taxes.
• Charter schools will be exempt from state statutes and rules applicable to school districts and boards, creating a separate and unequal school system even though Article IX of the Washington state Constitution requires a general and uniform system of public schools. *
• HB 2428 and SB 6202 will create additional administrative functions and costs for the State Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and School Districts at a time when further cuts are proposed for K-12, and the Supreme Court has ruled in McCleary v. State that Washington is failing to provide ample funding for education. *
• There are many successful innovative and alternative schools as part of the public school system in Washington state. Let’s encourage them and work toward full funding rather than be distracted by charter schools that the voters have already rejected three times.
*Further points:
* The Washington Supreme Court has stated that a common school is open “to all children . . . free, and subject to, and under the control of, the qualified voters of the school district.” (School Dist. No. 20 v. Bryan, 51 Wash. 498)
* Education Week’s Quality Counts report gave Washington an “F” grade in education spending and ranked the state 42nd in per-pupil spending and 44th in expenditures as a percent of state taxable resources."
Because of these deeply held convictions, League of Women Voters of WA led the opposition of the two charter school initiatives and the referendum in 1996, 2000 and 2004 that were rejected by the voters. And we oppose HB 2428 and SB 6202 for the following reasons:
• Private boards selected by non-profit corporations rather than publicly elected by citizens will govern charter schools. Voters will lose their right to elect representatives to oversee the spending of their taxes.
• Charter schools will be exempt from state statutes and rules applicable to school districts and boards, creating a separate and unequal school system even though Article IX of the Washington state Constitution requires a general and uniform system of public schools. *
• HB 2428 and SB 6202 will create additional administrative functions and costs for the State Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and School Districts at a time when further cuts are proposed for K-12, and the Supreme Court has ruled in McCleary v. State that Washington is failing to provide ample funding for education. *
• There are many successful innovative and alternative schools as part of the public school system in Washington state. Let’s encourage them and work toward full funding rather than be distracted by charter schools that the voters have already rejected three times.
*Further points:
* The Washington Supreme Court has stated that a common school is open “to all children . . . free, and subject to, and under the control of, the qualified voters of the school district.” (School Dist. No. 20 v. Bryan, 51 Wash. 498)
* Education Week’s Quality Counts report gave Washington an “F” grade in education spending and ranked the state 42nd in per-pupil spending and 44th in expenditures as a percent of state taxable resources."
DECLINE TO SIGN!
When asked to sign the I-1240 petition, here is something you can give to the PAID signature gatherer,
click this link to print out the flyer: DECLINE TO SIGN
NOTE: Those interested [are] paid $4 per valid signature to get I-1240 on the ballot. Professional [signature] gatherers from around the nation have already arrived and more are arriving as you read this. Get the word out: DECLINE TO SIGN!
click this link to print out the flyer: DECLINE TO SIGN
NOTE: Those interested [are] paid $4 per valid signature to get I-1240 on the ballot. Professional [signature] gatherers from around the nation have already arrived and more are arriving as you read this. Get the word out: DECLINE TO SIGN!
