*update*Organizing a march/protest, What do I need to know?

[Bad Dingo]

Update - the march was today and it went great!!  We had a decent turnout and a ton of press.  DD spoke and I have a whole new level of respect for her.  I had an awkward interview w/one of the news stations and luckily they only played a clip of it. 

The principal really fought us hard and ultimately teachers were told that they'd be fired if they participated or assisted at all.  We weren't allowed to do any sharing of info or organizing on school property.  The principal even called DD into his office and tried repeatedly to convince her to stop the march.

I don't know that it will make any difference in actual funding, but I'm glad that word is spreading about the budget cuts and I'm so proud of all of the kids that showed up and used their voices.
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To keep it brief, our district's budget passed this week and the cuts are devastating for an already vastly underfunded economically disadvantaged district.  District wide (39 schools), almost 400 positions are being cut;  27+ (ETA: I checked the final budget and it's 32.5 positions) of those are in DD's school.

The only option that I see right now is lobbying the city and state for more money.  It probably won't do anything but at least it'll bring attention to the issue.  I've already checked and the local ACLU chapter says that we don't need a permit to march to the capitol building and/or city hall as long as we don't obstruct traffic or entry into the buildings.

Does anyone have any additional advice?  I'm not 100% sure if it'll happen, it depends on if we can get people on board.  We'd do it next Wed when there is a half day for parent teacher conferences so that kids wouldn't have to leave school and the government offices would be open.  I can donate supplies for kids/families to make signs.  I'll try to reach out to groups in the community and other high schools to see if they'll join us as well. I'm not sure if the principal would support this and the teachers probably can't because they are in a precarious position with the cuts.

Any thoughts, advice, etc. is more than welcome.  

[simpsongal]

I'd probably reach out to the PTA and leadership for the teachers (esp if you have a Union). They may also be thinking of organizing something, perhaps even a strike for the teachers.

You could probably work with those orgs on a letter writing campaign to local elected officials. Also, you could reach out to local newspapers, write a letter to the editor.

[pixy0stix]

The biggest is knowing your rights and if you need to contact anyone before a group gathers, which you've done.

As the organizer, practice what you will say if approached by media. Keep your message concise.

Good luck!

[Bad Dingo]

Apr 18, 2024 7:57:43 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I'd probably reach out to the PTA and leadership for the teachers (esp if you have a Union). They may also be thinking of organizing something, perhaps even a strike for the teachers.

You could probably work with those orgs on a letter writing campaign to local elected officials. Also, you could reach out to local newspapers, write a letter to the editor.

Thank you pixy0stix and simpsongal !  We are in CT and I believe that teachers are not allowed to strike here, but I didn't even think of reaching out to the union.  Unfortunately, like many similar schools, there isn't a lot of parent involvement for various reasons, but I did make sure to loop in the PTO leadership.  When plans are finalized I will send info to various news organizations/newspapers.

Thank you for the great ideas, keep them coming!

For anyone curious - www.ctinsider.com/capitalregion/article/hartford-budget-school-layoffs-approved-2024-2025-19407563.php

The adopted budget - core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3630/HPS/4196610/Superintendents_Adopted_2024-2025_Operating_Budget_v2.pdf

Some of the Central Office salaries/fringe benefits are kind of mind blowing, particularly considering we are a city with an average HHI of $67k and a median of $37k.  As an example, the one certified position in the Department of Communications will receive a $23k raise for a salary of $165k.  There are also two uncertified positions in that department who make a combined $190k.  That doesn't include the $123k of fringe benefits, for that three person department.

[formerlyak]

I think I would be sure you have all the data to illustrate your point should you be approached by the media. You have the number of positions being cut. You have the budget number. But, do you have info on where the extra money to save these positions would come from? Like potential solutions? I am in CA, so I'm not super familiar with your state's school funding model. But if they are being given $x by state and local government to spend, and they are spending that, how are they going to fund what is currently on the table to be cut? Is there a reserve they can tap into without violating the state reserve requirements? Is there a possibility of getting a parcel tax on the November ballot to help fund some of the positions at risk of being cut (in our state parcel tax can pay for staff if approved by voters)? Are there other, less impactful areas where the community feels the cuts can be made? It's one thing to say "don't cut our teachers" - people understand that that is bad. But I have found from sitting in on more school board meetings than I can count for my job, that there is a stronger argument to be made if you have ideas for possible solutions that the community would like the district to explore.

[lilac05]

If you want signs to be a part of it, consider having a sign-making party (or two) ahead of time. Not only will it give you signs, but it’ll help people meet others who would be interested in going but might otherwise not because they don’t know anyone. (We have a group that started meeting at a coffee shop a little bit before school board meetings and then walk over together. We’ve seen a big increase in attendance since starting that. People like that they’re not walking in alone.)

[imimahoney]

My town is facing a large deficit (for our small town) which equaled to 15ish student facing positions being cut.

Our union mobilized quickly and ran the social media campaign, making sure parents knew whay was going on and when meetings were being held. They posted on every pto board and held several protests at town board meetings. We also ran sever letter writing campaigns during the budget process.

In the end our protests didn't do much but we got the Finance Board to give the schools an extra 500k, which will hopefully save some positions and programs.

Does your city have a teachers union? If not, then individual PTOs could help get parents involved.

[imimahoney]

Our MTA (Massachusetts) rep was fabulous in helping get visuals organized for our insta/fb campaign.

Hopefully you can get some guidance from the Connecticut teacher's union. They should have similar resources for you.

I would really focus on the admin salaries in your graphics to show parents how their money is being spent. We also made an info graphic for each cut and how that would impact our students. Parents commented that it was really helpful to see the info laid out like that.

[pixy0stix]

Ok, I know the salaries are a sticking point, but did they explain why? Was it retention? Were they bringing the positions up to market? Because the amount the salaries were raised wouldn't make up the shortfall that the amount of teachers they are laying off would cover. It's low hanging fruit, and makes a great soundbite, but it might not be the "why".

Here the same thing is happening where the administration is getting a raise and they're closing schools. The two are getting conflated but they're two separate issues. Declining enrollment is clearly why the schools are closing.

[macmars45]

Apr 19, 2024 7:43:55 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Ok, I know the salaries are a sticking point, but did they explain why? Was it retention? Were they bringing the positions up to market? Because the amount the salaries were raised wouldn't make up the shortfall that the amount of teachers they are laying off would cover. It's low hanging fruit, and makes a great soundbite, but it might not be the "why".

Here the same thing is happening where the administration is getting a raise and they're closing schools. The two are getting conflated but they're two separate issues. Declining enrollment is clearly why the schools are closing.

Declining enrollment is a huge issue in my city in central WA state too. A district in my city has had a huge decline. SO many teachers and support staff will lose their positions after this school year ends. Even the district I work for has a decline. Thankfully not as big because all staffing is based on seniority and this is my first year.

[Bad Dingo]

The admin salaries are just something that blows my mind, nothing that I'd bring up in any discussions. The budget shortfall is due to many things, flat funding for many years, loss of ESSER (Covid) Funds, incredibly high Special Education costs for kids that are going to school out of district, tuition costs for kids who choose to attend schools out of district, etc.

DD and a friend have basically taken over ownership of this project. She met w/the principal this morning and he said that while he cannot stop the kids from organizing and talking, nothing can happen on school grounds (i.e. no poster making, no announcements or informational signs, we can't meet outside the school on school grounds before walking to the capitol).

I'm going to try to find the contact info for the union rep that spoke at the last few BoE meetings and reach out to her.

So far I've heard either directly or through my daughter that teachers can't have any involvement because of contract rules.

The schools in the district really don't have very active PTOs or social media presences that I'm aware of. I'm trying not to feel discouraged, but I worry that this "march" will be like 4 of us...

[pixy0stix]

Why is the district paying for kids who choose to attend schools out of district? (Excluding the special education costs, because from the news article it's clear the district hasn't been able to attract the personnel needed.)

ETA: HOLY SHIT! Paying for kids to go out of district for school is 25% of your budget? $122 MILLION? That's fucking insanity. I'd be marching to shut that shit down. www.hartfordschools.org/article/1486498

[Bad Dingo]

pixy0stix , It's a long complicated history that was because of a civil rights lawsuit (Sheff v. O'Neill cca-ct.org/sheff/) to decrease racial isolation. If the district would put the money into the actual schools then they'd be able to retain more kids and also attract more kids to the district magnets (which brings in more $ to the district instead of costing the district).

It really is complicated and I feel for the people having to make the tough decisions.

[pixy0stix]

This reminds me of the podcast about the NY school that (white) people advocated be placed in a certain area to decrease segregation, but ended up screwing the very students they wanted to uplift.

[Bad Dingo]

Update in OP.

[wawa]

Apr 24, 2024 20:30:03 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

Update in OP.

What a fantastic update! minus the principal.