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“Smear Campaign” Offers Unworkable Plan
Washington, DC –A movement to enact state legislation dictating the nature of local public school spending is a “sinister attack on vital public school services” which could force cuts in vital services, including bus transportation for students, the Executive Committee of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department (TTD) said today.
“This smear campaign against public education paints a picture of waste and corruption in public schools and offers an unworkable, one-size-fits-all solution that claims to require no additional resources and no adaptation to local needs,” TTD leaders said today in a policy statement adopted at its biannual meeting in opposition to the so-called “65 Percent Solution,” which would mandate that a minimum of 65 percent of school system spending be devoted to direct classroom spending.
Promoted by the same operatives associated with the incendiary Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in the 2004 presidential election, the flawed proposal leaves out many vital services that sustain and enhance public schools, including libraries, counseling, school healthcare, bus transportation, maintenance and security. Rural areas, where students are often transported longer distances, would be particularly affected, TTD noted.
“The outstanding men and women in our nation’s school systems are united behind one goal: the best education possible for all students. They will not fall victim to the politics of division and discord. We must say no to phony reforms and arbitrary and unfair approaches, and instead have an honest, open discussion about what our public schools and their students and employees need to be effective,” said TTD President Edward Wytkind.
Please visit www.ttd.org for a copy of the full statement.
TTD represents 30 member unions in the rail, aviation, transit, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit www.ttd.org.
Public School “Reform” Targets Essential Services, Including Transportation