From Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, CT Mirror:
The cost to bus charter school students and advocates to rallies: $87,870.
The cost of providing them food from Subway: $14,040.
The cost of launching a media blitz including a new wave of television advertisements after state legislators failed to recommend funding new charter schools: $300,429.
The impact on students “trapped in failing schools” if this campaign drives funding to greatly expand charter school enrollment: Priceless, says Families for Excellent Schools, the nonprofit organization behind the effort.
According to spending reports filed with the Office of State Ethics Monday, the organization spent $413,000 in April–more than double what the organization spent during the first three months of the legislative session. This brings the organization’s spending to $667,000 so far this year. Add in what other groups advocating for charter schools are spending, and the total nears $1 million.
Full story here.
I just returned from Hartford a few minutes ago. Six Bridgeport residents/elected officials and parents spent hours lobbying legislators against funding the two new charter schools for Bridgeport and Hartford. Today was the “First Annual Charter School Day” at the Capitol.
At noon we took the tunnel over to the Capitol so we could lobby legislators prior and during the session. We passed about eight charter school tables manned by paid charter school staff/lobbyists. We could feel the daggers being thrown as we walked by.
A parent and I were quietly standing awaiting passing legislators so we could speak with them. Dr. Steve Perry came up the stairs and paraded about 25 black male students past us. You could see the anger on his face when he launched at both the parent and I by stating “this is what you are trying to stop.” I told him unlike you, we live in Bridgeport and we don’t want you or your school. He headed up the stairs and the parent responded with “if you want to have an intelligent conversation you would come back down those stairs instead of running away.” Needless to say, he went on his way.
The 40-50 lobbyists and citizens standing in the area admonished his behavior and arrogance. We felt really supported. One guy stated he was always cocky and arrogant.
Many legislators have complimented our efforts in representing a different point of view and educating them. They often tell us the lobbyists constantly portray a different picture. The vast majority have shared they support our position on not funding these two new charter schools. Quite a few have been critical of Malloy for supporting them.
The charter schools still have a long way to go before they come close to spending what the teachers union does.
www .opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=L1300
If the people of Bridgeport do not want charter schools then why are the charter schools so full? But I am glad Maria took some BOE employees and their kids to Hartford to participate in the democratic process.
I did not take a single BOE employee to Hartford. You are clearly still a poor spy.
All the lottery schools have waiting lists. The Magnet programs as well as the charter schools. The difference is the Magnet programs have to keep accurate records as to who may be on their waiting list.
The Koch brothers.