ACTION NEEDED NOW – MARCH 31ST DEADLINE
Suport Local School Funding for Local Schools - We Need Your Help!
PTA Guidelines for Collecting Signatures
Please sign the petition to qualify the Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act today! As you know, the California State PTA has endorsed the initiative to lower the passage rate for parcel taxes from two-thirds to 55 percent. We need your help to collect 1 million signatures by the beginning of April to ensure that this measure qualifies for the November 2010 statewide ballot. The California fiscal crisis is affecting every one of our schools. Passing local parcel taxes is one way to ensure a reliable source of local funds for schools, but they currently require a supermajority of two-thirds to pass. The Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act will lower the passage rate to 55 percent, making it easier for communities to invest in their local schools. Please download and sign the petition today. We urge you to forward this e-mail to all your members, and ask them to sign as well.
Do it TODAY! Together, we can make a difference. If we collect the approximately 1 million signatures required, we will be the first and only organization to successfully qualify an initiative for the ballot without using paid signature gatherers. Help us to make history! This will enhance the strength of our organization and help local schools save programs from future cuts. If you have any questions or to download petitions, you can visit the website at www.improvedschoolfunding.com. Thank you for your support! (PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS TOTALLY SEPARATE FROM A POSSIBLE GUSD PARCEL TAX THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE DISCUSSING – passing an initiative to lower the vote threshold would be a positive first step for ALL school districts considering parcel taxes.)
PTA Guidelines for Collecting Signatures for Local School Funding for Local Schools Initiative Campaign
The Big Rule to follow is that no use of school district facilities or staff time is allowed for signature gathering. This includes use of copy machines, computers, buildings, and it also includes sending materials home with children.
Signature Campaign communications with parents may be done in the following ways:
- Emails sent through non-district networks
- Letters and flyers given to parents as they approach school property or as they leave school property. Public sidewalks are okay, but you may not distribute campaign materials on school property.
- Newsletters and information mailed home to parents and paid for by PTA using addresses provided through voting records or PTA.
- In PTA meetings, even on school facilities, provided that the meeting meets the requirements of that organization, that its rules are followed, and a facilities use permit is on file stating that the meeting is a PTA meeting.
Non-campaign communications may be done through school facilities like an email system or backpacks if they are purely factual. For example,
- PTA could send out a newsletter article saying that the organization has endorsed collecting signatures for the Local School Funding for Local Schools and describing elements of the measure. However, PTA’s article cannot say to sign the petition or ask for volunteers for specific campaign activities.
There's no need to wait. As per our policies; units, councils and districts need not vote to affirm a California State PTA position on a statewide measure in order to take action. It's easy! And we can make a strong statement and strengthen our voice in supporting our local schools and speaking out for all children. For information on the campaign and for instructions.
If you have questions about the initiative or need information on what is allowable by PTA members collecting signatures, please contact Patty Scripter, VP Legislation, at pscripter@pacbell.net |
