As we approach this critical election season, it is essential to reflect on our collective values that guide our decisions and the reasons we support certain candidates over others. At the heart of our mission is the belief in strong public schools in every zip code, for every student, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, religion, creed, or orientation. We value and respect all the candidates who are running. Each candidate was engaging and demonstrated a sincere commitment to supporting students and educators. However, the differentiation lies in the core values that make our public schools a shining example of community, democracy, and the good of all. As the legislative committee, we appreciated and respected the civic engagement of all the candidates. Strong public schools are the greatest equalizers and powerful promoters of independent thinking and self-reliance. Our candidate recommendations are driven by members’ shared core beliefs as defined by our association’s goals and objectives in our constitution and bylaws.

Our Goals and Objectives

·       Welfare of Children and Educational Opportunities: We support candidates who prioritize great educators for the welfare of children and who work tirelessly to expand public educational opportunities for all students.

• Professional Compensation and Employment Conditions: We support candidates who advocate for competitive and professional compensation
  and strive to improve the terms and conditions of employment for educators because teacher working conditions are student learning conditions.

• Professional Practices and Ethics: Our backing goes to those who encourage active participation in solving school problems
  through shared decision-making, promote lifelong learning, and uphold the highest standards of professional ethics.

• Unified Voice on Educational Issues: We choose candidates who, together with educators, will advocate for our collective
  interests before the School Board, the public, the legislature, and other authorities.

• Resource Management for Educational Purposes: We stand behind candidates who responsibly manage resources and funds to
  achieve our educational goals effectively, knowing that educators are the greatest factor in student success.

The Impact of Vouchers on Public Education

We also need to address the issue of vouchers and their detrimental impact on our shared goals. Taxpayer dollars are meant for the good of the whole community and should not be funneled under the guise of choice to for-profit institutions that are not held to the same standards as our public schools. Vouchers undermine public education by diverting essential funds away from community schools, compromising their ability to serve all students effectively.

While we support parents’ right to choose the best educational setting for their children, this choice should not come at the expense of the greater community. Public schools are designed to serve every child, and they require adequate funding to fulfill this mission. Therefore, we support candidates who prioritize this core value.

By supporting candidates who align with these values, we can foster an educational environment that serves every student and strengthens our democracy through robust public schooling. 

Thank you for your dedication and support in this endeavor.

In solidarity,

The Legislative Committee