Letter To House, Senate, Governor - Birmingham Public Schools

I'm writing to ask you to support public education in our district. Our schools have cut nearly $16 million from our budget over the last 5 years. Today, our board of education is looking at contracting transportation and custodial services. We know, even if these options are enacted, that funding for our schools will be far under the general rate of inflation. Unless funding improves, the cuts demanded in subsequent years will severely impact the delivery of basic educational options in our schools. There are three things that are breaking our public school budgets that you can help us with: governor.

1. Address the pension deficit. The teachers pension is underfunded by $31 BILLION dollars - it's a tax on districts representing over $19,000 per child. Tackle the health care benefits, confront the vesting period, and monetize the balance via pension obligation bonds.
2. Open competitive health care options. Force the MEA and MESSA to comply with Public Act 106 so districts can bid on providers.
3. Prioritize spending for public education and stop spending more per prisoner that you do per child on education.
   

Districts have done their part for the last five years - the fat has been cut. Unless you help us with cost control on the pension and health care, the next round of cuts will be devistating to our children's education. Don't allow this to be your legacy, my kids deserve better.

Sincerely,

Letter to House Representative

Dear Representative Moss:

I'm writing to ask your support of public education. Please help us control our costs while holding the state to its promise of adequate funding. Support House Bill 4116.

At the same time help our district control costs by supporting House Bill 4107 which is an honest attempt to fix the train wreck that has become the state teachers pension plan. This bill will support the existing participants while allowing new teachers to enroll in 401-k type retirement plans.

Also, please consider reintroducing legislation like House Bill 4274 which was introduced in 2005. This bill provides much needed transparency towards healthcare costs.

Thank you for your consideration. Our schools must be allowed to contain the two costs which are killing our system, healthcare and pension costs. Unless we act now, we risk putting the education of our children, and the welfare of our teacher in jeopardy.

Sincerely,