[Durham INC] Here are the full emails of the Senate Education Committee -- please write them today

[Melissa Rooney]

Harry.Brown at ncleg.net , Charlie.Dannelly at ncleg.net , Warren.Daniel at ncleg.net , 
James.Forrester at ncleg.net , Sen. Linda.Garrou at ncleg.net, Thom.Goolsby at ncleg.net 
, Malcolm.Graham at ncleg.net , FloydM at ncleg.net , Bob.Rucho at ncleg.net, 
William.Purcell at ncleg.net, Gladys.Robinson at ncleg.net, Bob.Rucho at ncleg.net, 
Josh.Stein at ncleg.net, Richard.Stevens at ncleg.net, Stan.white at ncleg.net, 
Andrew.Brock at ncleg.net, Sen. Martin.Nesbitt at ncleg.net, Louis.Pate at ncleg.net, 
Austin.Allran at ncleg.net, Tom.Apodaca at ncleg.net, Jean.Preston at ncleg.net, 
Dan.Soucek at ncleg.net, Jerry.Tillman at ncleg.net


----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Melissa Rooney <mmr121570 at yahoo.com>
To: inc-list at rtpnet.org; durhamenviro at yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, February 15, 2011 1:43:28 PM
Subject: Charter School Bill -- take action before tomorrow


Reading through the Charter School Bill that will be voted on this Wednesday by 
the Senate Education Committee, there are two important parts that specifically 
let charter schools off the hook for providing for students with special needs. 
Note that if a charter 'returns' a student to public school, the charter (not 
the public) school still gets the money for that kid. If they are receiving 
public dollars, the charter schools should have to abide by the same acceptance 
standards and basic services (transportation and reduced lunches) required of 
public schools. More details below (and attached). This bill will be voted on 
tomorrow. If you feel as I do that no school receiving federal funding should 
get preferential treatments/rules,  please write your legislators now (email 
addresses below).

As part of the executive summary, the applicant has to outline:
 
The school shall comply with policies adopted by the State Board of
39 Education for charter schools relating to the education of children with
40 disabilities.
41 (5) The school is subject to and shall comply with Article 27 of Chapter 115C 
of
42 the General Statutes, except that a charter school may also exclude a student
43 from the charter school and return that student to another school in the 
local
44 school administrative unit in accordance with the terms of its charter.
 
: The procedures by which students can be excluded from the charter school
24 and returned to a public school.
 
 It reads like the children are somehow, “damaged goods,” that have to be 
returned, and it makes it seem like an unfortunate occurrence that the child 
will be  returned to a public school i.e. charter=good and public school =bad.
 
True public schools work with whoever walks through the doors.  There are so 
many provisions that DPS willingly makes to meet the needs of every child.  DPS 
efforts to work even more collaboratively with our community, as outlined in the 
new strategic plan, are a clear example of the sincere desire to inspire every 
child to their fullest potential.  Are we always successful? no. But due process 
is in place for every family.
 
Why aren’t the charter schools being  held to this same standard?  Why are they 
going to be allowed to return their children –what kind of implication will this 
have on a child?  Will the child feel like no one cared enough to make things 
work out in the school where they chose and wanted to be?  

 
To me, this hurts children and it validates suspicions that some charters are 
all about creating a student body that has very few challenging behaviors or 
academic weaknesses.  

  
If you agree –write now to the representatives on the Senate Education  
Committee:
 Sen. Jean Preston 
 Sen. Dan Soucek 
 Sen. Jerry W. Tillman 
 Sen. Tom Apodaca 
 Sen. Harry Brown, Sen. Charlie S. Dannelly, Sen. Warren Daniel, Sen. James 
Forrester, Sen. Linda Garrou, Sen. Thom Goolsby, Sen. Malcolm Graham, Sen. Floyd 
B. McKissick, Jr., Sen. E. S. (Buck) Newton, Sen. William R. Purcell, Sen. 
Gladys A. Robinson, Sen. Bob Rucho, Sen. Josh Stein, Sen. Richard Stevens, Sen. 
Stan White, Sen. Andrew C. Brock, Sen. Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr., Sen. Louis Pate, 
Sen. Austin M. Allran 

 
firstname.lastname at ncleg.net  our representative is Floyd McKissick but write 
them all.  Josh Stein has been receptive to constructive emails.

Thanks!
Melissa (Rooney)


      
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