3,000 People for Education
In October the state legislature voted to cut funding for the fiscal year 2010 budget by $165 per student. I firmly believe that education is the only thing that will help turn Michigan around and bring us out of the economic downturn. As state representative I will make education a personal priority and will fight to make sure that it is a priority for the entire legislature.
In a 2008 article (available here: http://www.concentratemedia.com), County Administrator Bob Guenzel discusses education issues in Washtenaw County. He states that, “27,000 of your neighbors and mine face severe challenges in reading or writing. That translates to a rate of illiteracy above 12% in Washtenaw County.” The article also states that the drop-out rate for Washtenaw county is approximately 12%.
A recent post on AnnArbor.com (available here: http://www.annarbor.com/) shows that Ypsilanti, Willow Run and Lincoln school districts from the 54th district all decreased in graduation rates and two of the three are well below the state average. Together the three schools’ graduation rates have dropped by 12.01% from 2007 to 2008.
12. The number that seems to best represent the difficulty facing our schools. Right now it represents illiteracy, drop-out rates and falling graduation rates. Together we can change that. I am kicking off a fundraising campaign that will make the number 12 symbolic of hope, change and dedication to making education a priority in Lansing.
My goal is to find 3,000 people who believe like I do that education should be a priority of our state. 3,000 people who will donate $12 to my campaign to help elect me to the House of Representatives to fight for that change. Many people have told me that I will never be able to find 3,000 donors but together we can prove them wrong. Even if you are not a resident of the 54th district and I am not your representative, I can represent your interest.
Will you stand with me to make education a priority? Will you help send me to Lansing to fight for education? Will you donate $12 to the cause?
If we reach 3,000 donors, my campaign will give three $1,200 scholarships to graduating seniors from school districts in our area. If more than 3,000 people join our fight we will give more scholarships!
I believe we can turn 12 into a positive number. I believe we can make education a priority. Will you be one of the 3,000 who agree?