Medford Parents Lobby Beacon Hill for Education Money
Residents Demand Focus on Public Education, Deliver over 7,000 Postcards to Lawmakers
Medford parents outside of the State House. School Committee Vice Chair Ann Marie Cugno is pictured, center, with colleague Paulette Van der Kloot. Photo courtesy Matt Haberstroh.
The following information was released by the Medford residents who rallied on Beacon Hill last week in an effort to increase school funding:
Even with stimulus aid, Massachusetts communities are grimly counting the number of school and town employee layoffs ahead. Medford is not included in the Massachusetts’s Education Stimulus package. In response, over 30 concerned citizens from Medford participated in a State House Rally March 24 sponsored by the education advocacy group Stand for Children. They joined hundreds of advocates from across the Commonwealth who rallied to remind lawmakers that with 10,000 Massachusetts students a year dropping out of school, children can’t wait for the economy to turn around; they deserve quality education now.
“As the proud parent of a Roberts School second grader, I strongly believe now is not the time to be cutting public school funding. Education is a critical investment in Massachusetts’ future,” said Hank Driscoll, a Medford Stand for Children member.
“We face many critical education issues in Medford, like cuts in arts and languages, teacher layoffs and our High School pool sits empty in need of repairs. This rally was the perfect opportunity to take action at the state level to help our community and others across the Commonwealth,” said Stand for Children member Tanya Howard.
“I was proud to help Stand for Children deliver thousands of postcards to lawmakers, including Sen. Jehlen, Rep. Sciortino, Rep. Donato and Rep. Garballey. It’s clear that citizens in Medford and statewide care passionately about public schools. Through good times and bad, Massachusetts has to keep its commitment to children,” said Stand member Ted Adams.
Speakers at the event, hosted by House of Representatives leader Robert DeLeo, included Boston Schools Superintendent Carol Johnson, Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch, Chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue Representative Jay Kaufman, Boston public school student Terrell Jones, and Stand for Children members Brian Sullivan of Plymouth and Jane Greenstein of Ashland.
“Cities and towns across the state are all in the same boat this year. That’s why we’re seeing such an impressive turnout of citizens at the State House. Every school district is looking at layoffs and program cuts, even with stimulus aid. And families everywhere feel a sense of urgency about protecting children from recession fallout. Keeping schools strong is everyone’s job, and we’re here to support lawmakers in that work. One important thing legislators can do is help towns pay their education bills – with local tax options and help saving healthcare costs. That will keep teachers in classrooms,” said Leslie Nicholson, Stand for Children Massachusetts State Director.
Stand for Children is a statewide voice for children, with active members in over 70 communities. To learn more, visit www.stand.org/ma.