Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1535219
I N A P R I L , our union launched an initiative to fight back against federal funding cuts to public education. Delegations of members, local chapter leaders, and both CTA and NEA Board of Directors visited nine GOP Congressional member offices in California, when the elected officials were in their districts on recess. ese members of Congress represent districts at high risk with threatened federal cuts to school meals, Special Education support and more. Delegations met with some of these elected officials; others refused to meet during their recess — time pro- vided to Congressional members to meet with constituents. If a delegation was unable to meet, CTA members and partners protested outside the office and vocalized our demand that the representatives stand with students and families in their districts by : 1. Voting no on any effort to slash funding for public educa- tion including special education programs that support students with ADHD, dyslexia and other disabilities; financial aid for college and Career Technical Education; protection of civil rights; funding for rural schools and communities; and school meals for hungry children. 2. Demanding the Trump Administration reinstate a vital rule that blocked ICE raids from sensitive areas, including school campuses. 3. Voting to protect the Department of Education. Local chapter leaders in each delegation also spoke about how much federal funding schools in their district stand to lose. (Check out costs by congressional district at bit.ly/44clC45.) CTA Board Member and high school Special Education history teacher Greg Abt shared what transpired during a del- egation visit to Rep. Jay Obernolte in Hesperia. "Congressman Obernolte made it clear that he is opposed to funding cuts for students in our district, but would not commit to protecting the Department of Education, an institution that ensures that our communities receive these funds and services. " We have to keep up the momentum with these critical demands for students in our local schools." CTA delegations demand that members of Congress protect vulnerable students, families Our Fight for Schools Temecula Valley Educators Assn. members and leaders outside of Rep. Darrell Issa's office; Issa refused to meet with the CTA delegation. TVEA President Edgar Diaz is second from right. 24 cta.org Feature