Viewfinder: Protesting via Postcards

The and PTAs held postcard-writing campaigns this week to protest Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed K-12 education budget cuts.

One thousand postcards were printed for participants Wednesday during the Burton event in Huntington Woods and others used emailed templates to create their own postcards at home, Burton PTA President Lauren Hirsch said. The PTA will mail the cards to the appropriate state lawmakers.

"I'm very happy with the turnout," said Hirsch, who organized the campaign via email. "You never know when you send a message out via email whether it's getting lost in space. So, it's heartwarming to see the people coming in and the bundles (of postcards) coming in."

A three-day postcard-writing campaign at Rogers in Berkley also wrapped up Wednesday, with more than 300 cards collected there, said Roger Blake, Rogers' PTA legislative chairman.

The Rogers postcards focused on the portion of Snyder's budget proposal that would change the way Michigan's 1994 Proposal A school funding law is implemented. The plan would shift $195.9 million worth of dedicated K-12 funding to community colleges and $699.7 million of funding to higher education, leaving a projected year-end balance of $95.8 million in the school aid fund.

If funds are not diverted for community colleges and higher education, the school aid fund's projected year-end balance would be $991.4 million and K-12 education would not be facing such steep cuts.

"Don't go changing something that's in the Michigan Constitution," Blake said. "Take it to the voters."

Snyder's 2012 fiscal year projections include a $1.4 billion general fund budget gap for the state of Michigan.

The governor's proposed cuts, coupled with increased costs for health care and retirees, could cost the approximately $1,000 per pupil. Superintendent Michael Simeck has warned that could mean the elimination of programs, fewer teachers and larger class sizes.

Those who couldn't make it to the Burton event but would like to join the protest can email Hirsch at lsnirsch@yahoo.com for a list of lawmakers and a postcard template. Rogers parents who didn't get a chance to submit a postcard can attend the school's next PTA meeting at 7 p.m. May 3 to speak up, Blake said.

"We'd love to see other schools and organizations do exactly what we're doing," Hirsch said.

to read more about school funding and the governor's proposed cuts.