Politics & Government
Michigan PTA Leader Calls for Rally at Capitol
A letter sent to members urges parents, educators and other community members to gather Thursday in Lansing.
The Michigan Parent Teacher Association is urging parents and teachers to attend a rally Thursday to secure funding for public schools.
In a letter distributed to members, Michigan PTA President Mary DeYoung-Smith urged school communities to attend the demonstration at noon in Lansing. The event will kick off with a session called Stop Bullying in Our Communities presented by Kevin Epling of Bully Police USA, followed at 1 p.m. by Invest in Michigan’s Future Today! presented by the Michigan PTA.
"I am asking every school to be represented on the grounds of the State Capitol next Thursday," she said in the letter. "If you can’t attend the rally, then find others who can. Encourage your neighbors to attend. Educating the children of Michigan is everyone’s concern."
Find out what's happening in Huntington Woods-Berkleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed deep cuts to K-12 funding and an unprecedented transfer of hundreds of millions of dollars to community colleges and higher education. His 2012 fiscal year projections for the state include a $1.4 billion general fund shortfall, which he is working to close through a series of proposed cuts and changes.
"It is crucial that our state legislators and the governor see that we will not stand for these budget proposals," DeYoung Smith wrote. "They must see that we care enough to rally for our children."
