Victory!
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sendolo d
Jun 18, 2010, 1:10:06 AM6/18/10
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Fellow Freedom Fighters,
As you may have heard by now, last night the school board voted to sign an agreement with the county commissioners that would save 74 more jobs on top of the 111 jobs that would be saved using Ruffin's 1.79 cent tax increase and moving $1 million from money for buildings to money for regular expenses (paychecks!). All told this means that 185 jobs have been saved this year! This is a huge victory that wouldn't have been possible without all the work sessions, meetings, phone calls, emails, letters to the editor, speeches, and sitting through hearings that WE did. At the beginning of this budget process commissioners said they weren't going to increase the property tax more than 3 cents and then only for debt. What we have now is a 1.79 tax just for schools!
Like all victories, this one is not uncomplicated. We are still researching how the original 237 teaching positions was magically reduced to 185. We are still keeping an eye on the state budget process, which could be rocky. We still may try to find $2 million of nonrecurring funds, since Ruffin now says that's how much is available (funny, he used to say there was no money!). As we all know, even with these jobs saved, there are other non-teaching positions and important programs that won't get funded under this plan. And, as Brigid has said, property taxes are not the most fair way of paying for schools. We need progressive taxation at the state level. Not to mention, even with funding, our schools still need to be transformed. They still need justice for workers, immigrants, queer people, and more.
The struggle for full funding and justice is far from won. As we've seen from this spring's campaign, there's a lot that needs to change from the federal government, to the state, to the county. This is going to take more than a coalition reacting to budget cuts. We're going to need to think deep and long-term about the kind of tax system and school system we really want and how we're going to get it. That means building an organization that can keep fighting, keep teaching, and keep reaching out to Hillside and beyond. We'll get into that more on Saturday.
But for now, friends, let's celebrate. We've made a real difference in Durham County. We did what we said we'd do: we've made history. From our march, to our townhall, to the bridge speech at the county hearing, Durham's government won't soon forget the members of the Umbrella Coalition! More importantly, hundreds if not thousands of people will benefit from the dedication of this group.
Three dates to keep in mind:
Saturday 19th
People's Durham Summer Program Meeting 12-2pm, 1209 N Duke St.
Join People's Durham for a discussion of our summer leadership program and vision for democratic schools.
Monday 21st
Coalition Meeting 4-6pm (location to be decided)
We need to gather for one last planning session to figure out what we want to do for the June 28th commissioner's meeting where they will officially pass their budget. Press conference? After party? Let's do one more meeting for our campaign!
City Council Vote on SB1070/AZ Boycott 7pm (City Hall)
This will be the voted to decide whether Durham joins other justice-loving cities in opposing the racist actions of the AZ legislature and governor.
Monday 28th
County Commissioner's Budget Vote 7pm, 200 E Main St.
This is the day we've been working towards: the final vote! Let's show up, celebrate our victory, and voice our visions for what we plan to accomplish going forward. Then after...I wanna party!
with a fierce love that liberates,
--
Sendolo Diaminah
People's Durham
As you may have heard by now, last night the school board voted to sign an agreement with the county commissioners that would save 74 more jobs on top of the 111 jobs that would be saved using Ruffin's 1.79 cent tax increase and moving $1 million from money for buildings to money for regular expenses (paychecks!). All told this means that 185 jobs have been saved this year! This is a huge victory that wouldn't have been possible without all the work sessions, meetings, phone calls, emails, letters to the editor, speeches, and sitting through hearings that WE did. At the beginning of this budget process commissioners said they weren't going to increase the property tax more than 3 cents and then only for debt. What we have now is a 1.79 tax just for schools!
Like all victories, this one is not uncomplicated. We are still researching how the original 237 teaching positions was magically reduced to 185. We are still keeping an eye on the state budget process, which could be rocky. We still may try to find $2 million of nonrecurring funds, since Ruffin now says that's how much is available (funny, he used to say there was no money!). As we all know, even with these jobs saved, there are other non-teaching positions and important programs that won't get funded under this plan. And, as Brigid has said, property taxes are not the most fair way of paying for schools. We need progressive taxation at the state level. Not to mention, even with funding, our schools still need to be transformed. They still need justice for workers, immigrants, queer people, and more.
The struggle for full funding and justice is far from won. As we've seen from this spring's campaign, there's a lot that needs to change from the federal government, to the state, to the county. This is going to take more than a coalition reacting to budget cuts. We're going to need to think deep and long-term about the kind of tax system and school system we really want and how we're going to get it. That means building an organization that can keep fighting, keep teaching, and keep reaching out to Hillside and beyond. We'll get into that more on Saturday.
But for now, friends, let's celebrate. We've made a real difference in Durham County. We did what we said we'd do: we've made history. From our march, to our townhall, to the bridge speech at the county hearing, Durham's government won't soon forget the members of the Umbrella Coalition! More importantly, hundreds if not thousands of people will benefit from the dedication of this group.
Three dates to keep in mind:
Saturday 19th
People's Durham Summer Program Meeting 12-2pm, 1209 N Duke St.
Join People's Durham for a discussion of our summer leadership program and vision for democratic schools.
Monday 21st
Coalition Meeting 4-6pm (location to be decided)
We need to gather for one last planning session to figure out what we want to do for the June 28th commissioner's meeting where they will officially pass their budget. Press conference? After party? Let's do one more meeting for our campaign!
City Council Vote on SB1070/AZ Boycott 7pm (City Hall)
This will be the voted to decide whether Durham joins other justice-loving cities in opposing the racist actions of the AZ legislature and governor.
Monday 28th
County Commissioner's Budget Vote 7pm, 200 E Main St.
This is the day we've been working towards: the final vote! Let's show up, celebrate our victory, and voice our visions for what we plan to accomplish going forward. Then after...I wanna party!
with a fierce love that liberates,
--
Sendolo Diaminah
People's Durham
Manju Rajendran
Jun 18, 2010, 11:42:07 AM6/18/10
to dec...@googlegroups.com
Hooray! Such a tremendous testament to people's power. They wouldn't have done it if we hadn't demanded.
Be proud!
Love,
Manju
--
"A long-range goal to me is a direction that grows out of loving people, and caring for people, and believing in people's capacity to govern themselves." ~Myles Horton
Be proud!
Love,
Manju
"A long-range goal to me is a direction that grows out of loving people, and caring for people, and believing in people's capacity to govern themselves." ~Myles Horton
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