I would urge you to use your own words and stories. This is just a place to start. Be sure to include your address and a phone number, as councilors will wish to get back to you.

Dear Councilor X:

    I am writing to ask you to support the School Committee's request for 102% of the foundation budget for next year. This money is desperately needed by our schools.

    Over the past six years, the city has cut the school system's budget by over 58 million dollars. Class sizes have climbed, building maintenance has been postponed, supplies have dwindled. The children of the city are the ones who are suffering from this. It is not fair to balance our budget on their backs for a seventh year.

    We must, as a city, fully fund our children's education. We cannot wait for the economy to improve or for more funding to come from the state or federal government. We must do this and do this ourselves.

    Please support the School Committee's request. 

    Sincerely,

(Your signature)

From Stand.org:

Dear Mayor/Councilor,
 
Recently the City Council took offense at the School Committee's planned request for funding of the Worcester Public Schools at 2% above the foundation amount.   I fail to understand the City Councils position of not supporting this request, especially when our public schools have incurred budget cuts for the past six years, closing of eight schools, removal of over 600 teaching positions, numerous programs eliminated, and the prospect of budget cuts for the seventh consecutive year.
 
What the City Council needs to recognize is public schools are the heart and soul of a community's economic development.  Good public schools make a community a desirable place to live and work. This would attract young families who buy our homes and large employer groups who employ from the general population. Failure to invest in our public schools will result in a continued downward economic spiral which will continue long after the general economy corrects itself.  I believe our elected school committee members are not only fighting for the good of the public school system, but for the good of the whole community. 
 
As a voting resident of the city, I strongly urge the city council to consider and pass the school committee's request to fund the Worcester public schools at 2% above the foundation amount  for the children of this community and its overall long term health.
 
Respectfully,

(your signature)