All over Minnesota, students have fewer and fewer choices when it comes to their public education. Students in Cloquet and in Carlton County are no exception. Boys in Cloquet, for example, have no swim team. Girls majorettes are no more. Nein! to the German classes. The orchestra program sits on the chopping block list for this year.
It's clear that schools are in financial crisis, in part due to previous mandates handed down without the funds to cover them. Many have faced crippling budget cuts because of this in the past several years.
Students are suffering despite the best efforts of teachers, administrators, parents and school board members.
Obviously no simple solution exists, and it's likely various factions will need to come together to solve the problem.
One of those factions is the Minnesota Legislature which in its final phase of the session will decide if and how much to fund public schools for the coming year.
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It's time to rally.
Now before you leap to your feet, read on for the best part.
Next Wednesday, April 18, a virtual rally at the Minnesota State Capitol is planned, meaning you don't even need to leave the comfort of their home to "rally."
It's a concentrated one-day effort in which Minnesotans contact state leaders by phone and e-mail and tell them to fund key investments in public schools including special education, a formula increase, voluntary all-day every-day kindergarten and early childhood public education.
Pass on the date to your friends, family and other public school supporters, and remind them that the quality of Minnesota's public schools is in jeopardy. You can make a difference with a simple phone call or e-mail on April 18.
Lisa Baumann
