Advocate for Public Education
Be Informed – Become an advocate for public education – make your voice heard
Consider the following facts:
- The Fort Mill School District is currently losing $8 million of funding annually from the state of South Carolina.
- Next school year, funding levels are projected to be equal to 1995 levels.
- The Fort Mill School District has grown 160% since 1995 - from 3,465 students in 1995 to 9,955 in 2010.
Refer to the District’s website http://www.fort-mill.k12.sc.us/home to see the list of funding cuts for the 2010-2011 school year; including 47 positions; larger class sizes, middle school sports, etc.
Fort Mill Schools are recognized as a leader in public education not only in the state, but nationally. With the budget cuts affecting our approach to providing quality programs, this success is jeopardized for all students.
Take Action
Call our local legislators, Chair of the Education Committees, Speakers of the House and Senate and let them know you want to keep our schools strong (email is a good second choice). Need to find your House district? Go to Personal Voter Information
Local Legislative Delegation:
Senate District 15: Sen. Robert W. (Wes) Hayes (803) 212-6410
Senate District 16: Sen. J. Michael (Mick) Mulvaney (803) 212-6024
House District 45: Rep. Deborah Long (803) 212-6874
House District 48: Rep. Ralph Norman (803) 212-6888
South Carolina Legislative Leadership:
Senate President Pro Tempore: Sen. Glenn McConnell (803) 212-6610
Speaker of the House: Rep. Bobby Harrell (803) 734-3125
Chair, Senate Education Committee: Sen. John E. Courson (803) 212-6250
Chair, House Education and Public Works Committee: Rep. Philip D. Owens (803) 734-3053
Email to Senate Members: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/html-pages/senateemail.html
Email to House Members: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/html-pages/houseemail.html
Click appropriate name to send an email message.
What To Say
Ask them to place education first and protect K-12 education from further funding cuts.
Ask them to strongly consider the recommendations of the SC Tax Realignment Commission.
Ask them to enact maximum financial flexibility for local school districts.
Ask them to allow, not mandate, the local school district to furlough employees in order to absorb budget restrictions.
Ask them to allow school districts to reduce local supplements paid to teachers over the State Minimum Teacher Salary Scale in order to preserve jobs and balance budgets.
Ask them to temporarily hold (for one year) the Index of Taxpaying Ability published in February 2009 and use it for funding fiscal year 2010-2011.
Ask them to please email or call you back and let you know what they are doing to help keep our schools strong.
When communicating, either by telephone or email, include your name and address, that you live in their district, your email and telephone number and if you are a parent or grandparent, PTO/A member, booster club member, or any other relevant information.
A concerted advocacy effort that speaks with one positive voice is an effective tool to build relationships with legislators.
