Support Our Schools (SOS), a citizen-group formed in response to the funding crisis in our public schools, will host a rally on April 10 to generate support for local schools. The rally will take place on the steps of City Hall from 12:30–3:00 p.m. All members of the community are invited to attend.
The rally will focus on recruiting volunteers in a drive to pass a school funding referendum in November. This referendum would restore funding for local schools that was lost due to state-imposed cuts. State funding for local schools is expected to be cut again in 2011 and 2012, and it is possible that additional cuts may also be imposed for the remainder of 2010. Approval of the referendum in November, 2010, would make these locally generated funds available in June, 2011. The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) operates on a calendar-year budget, and this would enable the schools to restore the instructional programs as early as January, 2011, and would avert the anticipated cuts that would otherwise be imposed by the reduction in state support.
The rally will commence as the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market winds down at Showers Plaza (Bloomington City Hall). A music program showcasing student musicians will begin at 12:30. There will be activities for the children including cookie decorating, poster making, balloon hats, face painting, and more. Starting at 1:00, music will be interspersed with short presentations to inform people what is being done to solve both the short-term and long-term problems. Active recruitment of volunteers to help in these efforts will take place throughout the day. The event will culminate with a parade down the B-Line Trail and back.
Additional events are planned throughout the summer and during the lead-up to the election.
Rally organizers will also highlight a fund-raising campaign by the MCCSC Foundation that will provide stop-gap funding to support school programs and staffing until stable funding is restored.
The SOS organizers hope that members of our neighborhood associations will participate in this community event. If you are willing to volunteer, please contact Duane Busick at dubusick@comcast.net or call (812) 336-8329.
