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100 signatures reached
To: McMinn County School Board
#FundOurSchools: Approve the IDEA Partnership for Systemic Change Grant
We are disheartened at the Board’s decision in September to reject the IDEA Partnership for Systemic Change Grant. This grant would have afforded the district $300,000 over the course of three years to employ someone who could support general education teachers in providing appropriate accommodations, supported consulting teachers in maintaining high quality IEPs, and supported students in ensuring that their needs were being adequately met across settings. While this temporary position wouldn't fix everything, it's the start our teachers and staff need and want.
We are asking the McMinn County School Board to reconsider their decision to reject these funds and show a commitment to the education of all learners. Approve the IDEA Partnership for Systemic Change Grant and three-year position that would support our teachers and students before the money is lost for good. Let’s work together to get our schools the funding, staffing, and resources they need.
We are asking the McMinn County School Board to reconsider their decision to reject these funds and show a commitment to the education of all learners. Approve the IDEA Partnership for Systemic Change Grant and three-year position that would support our teachers and students before the money is lost for good. Let’s work together to get our schools the funding, staffing, and resources they need.
Why is this important?
Every child - regardless of ability or background - deserves to thrive in a high quality public school. High quality public education begins with funding our schools well, supporting our teachers, and making sure the correct supports are in place so everyone’s needs are being met.
Currently, McMinn County Schools are sorely underfunded and under-resourced. This problem could be made worse by loss of funding due to non-compliant IEPs, in addition to the strain being placed on special education and general education teachers with increasing caseloads but no increased resources. The position that was offered by the IDEA Partnership for Systemic Change Grant is a first step to closing gaps for students with disabilities and empowering staff with the resources they need to support all students. By rejecting these funds, the Board is ignoring an immediate need of our schools and potentially harming the chance to receive federal grant funds in the future.
Currently, McMinn County Schools are sorely underfunded and under-resourced. This problem could be made worse by loss of funding due to non-compliant IEPs, in addition to the strain being placed on special education and general education teachers with increasing caseloads but no increased resources. The position that was offered by the IDEA Partnership for Systemic Change Grant is a first step to closing gaps for students with disabilities and empowering staff with the resources they need to support all students. By rejecting these funds, the Board is ignoring an immediate need of our schools and potentially harming the chance to receive federal grant funds in the future.
How it will be delivered
Join us at our November 4th community meeting at 6:00 (St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Athens, TN) to share your vision for our schools and get involved.
Then, join us at the November 14th school board meeting at 5:30 (McMinn County Center for Educational Excellence - 3 S. Hill St. Athens, TN 37303). Wear RED or your PSS t-shirt.
Wear RED or your Public School Strong t-shirt.