On February 10th 2015, Mrs. Connor spoke at the Sierra PTO General Meeting. She explained the budget shortfall facing Kyrene, which will significantly impact Sierra. She also shared what parents can do to help. Here is a recording of this session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx9qX6dNCBc.
For written highlights of this session, click here.
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?
- Unfortunately, despite the PTO having a decent amount of money, we cannot pay to fund a teacher. Laws designed to create equity across the board in any school district prevent that. However, the PTO will be financially supporting the school in any way they are permitted.
- One area that is a huge chunk of Sierra’s budget is printing and supplies. Parents may be asked to help out by donating supplies, ranging from paper, to markers to hand sanitizer. Teacher salaries come from the same pot of money as supplies, so if families donate supplies, that frees up more money to keep a teacher’s job.
- Look into corporate donations. Does your employer donate to schools? Do they make a product they could donate to the schools (dry erase markers, paper towels, etc.?)
- Write to the Governor and your State Legislators.
Here is the contact info for the Governor and our State Legislators:
Governor Doug Ducey: http://azgovernor.gov/governor/form/contact-governor-ducey
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone : 602-542-4331
Facebook.com/dougducey
State Representative Bob Robson:
brobson@azleg.gov
State Representative Jill Norgaard:
jnorgaard@azleg.gov
State Senator Jeff Dial
jdial@azleg.gov