Sample letter regarding 2008-09 mid-year cuts to education funding

First Name Last Name

Title

School District

Street Address

City, State Zip

Dear :

I am writing to express my concern for the future of arts education in our schools. As you know, Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed a $2.5 billion reduction in education spending to meet the unprecedented budget deficit our state is facing. Rather than have the State dictate all sources of the cuts, he’s recommending that districts be given up to 100% flexibility in determining the allocation of categorical funding.

The danger we face is that, should the Governor’s recommendation be adopted, districts will elect to use arts education funding from the Arts and Music Block Grant for other purposes. In the past two years, the ongoing Arts and Music Block Grants have only just begun to rebuild a system of visual and performing arts education that has been in steady decline for the past thirty years.

I am writing to ask you to help ensure that our school district continue to spend this money be spent for the purposes for which it was intended. While recognizing the enormous economic challenge that our state is facing, we must not sacrifice the quality of the education that our children need and deserve. The arts are not an expendable component of education.

The creativity and critical thinking that is a direct by-product of engagement in the arts is critical to California’s economic future. In the near future, one in five jobs in California will be related to the creative industries. Our students need and deserve the kind of education that will enable them to be competitive for these jobs.

With these funds our district has made progress reviving quality arts programs, hiring visual and performing arts teachers, purchasing instructional materials, and providing much needed professional development for teachers.

The Arts and Music Block Grant must continue to be used in our district to enrich the lives of every student. Progress will only be achieved with time and an unwavering commitment by policymakers and education leaders to provide a complete and well-rounded education for every child – an education which includes access to a quality education in the arts.

Sincerely,