Budget Input Deadline
Please open this public Budget Survey from the Tacoma Public Schools. Time is of the essence, the two year budget is being finalized. This link is scheduled to close the end of May.
In the last 5 years half of the music and PE positions have vaporized. When a teacher leaves a job, the position is spread out among the remaining teachers. The norm was once one educator in each building for PE and music. Now most teachers are in multiple buildings with increased unsustainable workloads. The Tacoma Public Schools have been quietly destroying access to quality instruction and opportunities in music and PE. It is a grave situation of intentional inequity.
Here is what you do:
2.Follow the prompts until you get to the budget window.
3.Click the area on the right that says academics. It will open to a list of many subjects.
4. Find elementary music and PE. Click the comment button next to elementary music and PE and share a comment in support of fully funding this item. Even just one sentence will do.
Suggestions:
Request the full amount of money. (The budget number is enough, a huge improvement in fact, - however the tactics of separating it out means it is in easy view to cut it, too. Yikes!)
Restore the positions lost through retirement, death and relocation so schools are fully staffed. Restore equity in the Tacoma Public schools in PE and music so we have a comprehensive program K-12.
(Did you go to school here? Are you a tax payer and a voter? Want what you had for your kids or grandkids?)
You do not have to fuss with balancing the budget or adjusting the numbers. Just open up the area and make a comment.
This will make a huge difference in the lives of the Tacoma public school students and the working conditions of their teachers.
When you have given your input, please send/post the following letter(or your edited version) to friends and family so they can also participate. As we know, parent and community member voices carry a lot of weight.
