The passage of Issue 75 is critical our students, our schools, our community and our future. By voting yes on Issue 75, the combined bond/ levy package would extend the school day back to its original length, allow Columbus City Schools to continue to renovate or replace antiquated buildings, purchase badly needed textbooks, new buses and modern computers for its students.
To help Issue 75, many CEA members have joined the 1 Mill Club by donating $40 to defray campaign costs. By contributing one thousandth of a beginning teacher’s salary, each member who joins the 1 Mill Club helps the Columbus City Schools get one step closer to passing Issue 75. The CEA Blog wants 1 Mill Club members to answer the following question:
What made joining the 1 Mill Club a priority for you, and what would you say to your colleagues about the importance of joining the 1 Mill Club?
You don’t have to be registered to leave a reply—simply click on the “Comments” link below, type your first name (or a screen name of your choice), email address and leave your comment. Once your reply has been moderated, it will be added.
I teach HS Social Studies. I joined the 1 Mill Club because CCS is using textbooks from when I was in HS. The government textbook is from 1997, and lists President Bill Clinton as just beginning his second term; Newt Gingrich is listed as the Speaker of the House. The textbook used for the 9th graders has no mention of any of the events surrounding 9/11– why? The book was written three years before it ever happened!
Included in the bond package are monies that are set aside for new Social Studies textbooks; besides being outdated, many are in disrepair– the district has been using these books for 10 years now, it’s time for some new ones. Our students and teachers deserve the best tools they can have– they’re competing with students from across the state, country and world in this global economy.
Issue 75 has to pass– our students will suffer if it doesn’t! I’m glad I joined the 1 Mill Club, and I’ve helped friends to join as well!
The 10 year old Social Studies books that I use in the fifth grade were being used in the 8th grade at St. Paul’s in Westerville. What a disservice to our students and teachers to have to teach with such poor materials.
If you want your job to get better, you need to ante up– this is serious!
Our health care will most likely change if the levy does not pass. We need to get the message out there that our families should support the levy, and one of the best ways is to use this money for leaflets that will help people understand how dire our situation is right now. Our union is here for us 24/7. Show you appreciate what they do by contributing something for this worthy effort!
I want to show I support my school district. Without the support of its teachers, a school district is powerless when asking for the suport of its community.
We must do our part to pass this levy! Would you pay $40 to keep art, music and phys. ed. in elementary? Would you pay $40 to keep your friend who teaches down the hall who has little seniority? Would you pay $40 to keep class size smaller? Would you pay $40 to keep our insurance benefits the same?
I believe in that an investment of $40 is worth every penny. Our schools, our students, our communities and our future as educators in the CCS is worth a lot more than just $40.
Step up to the plate and give your share.
I have a hunch that none of us became educators to make money– we chose this profession to make a difference. The job is a tough one and sometimes it’s hard to see the impact of what we do, but it does have an impact. Passing this levy will allow us to continue to provide our students the foundation needed for them to succeed far beyond their wildest imagination. $40 is a small amount to invest for such a potentially great return.
Note the articles in today Dispatch! They were not kind to us once again. Anyone have a contact who would do an article about these antiquated books?
The district has been making progress. With new textbooks, and better facilities, our progress can be even greater. We, as teachers, must support this effort if we are to have any hope of the community doing so.
Our students are our future. It is difficult to help the students who depend on their teachers when the teachers do not have the proper instructional materials needed to reach the diverse needs they bring to us. The 1 mill club is one way that teachers can show their support for not only the students, but co-workers who do not have the seniority needed to secure their jobs. It is time that teachers step up and make themselves heard by helping to fund the levy campaign.
Our buses and books are falling apart and the children are not getting all that they deserve!
I think the 1 Mill Club is a great idea and I have contributed but my question is this… as educators, how much of our own money are we going to have to spend to keep this school district afloat and to be able to provide a quality education to our students? I gladly pay my CEA, OEA, NEA, District and Teachers for Better Schools (T.F.B.S. which is optional) dues. I spend my own money for curriculum materials, office supplies (ever try to get a new stapler out of the supply closet? you practically have to beg), treats for my students, incentive goodies (i.e. treasure box), use my own copier at home when we are on “paper rations”, the list goes on… In addition to that, we provide needy students with a free breakfast, clothing vouchers, shoe vouchers, backpacks and school supplies. I know that many of our parents are struggling and I feel for them, I really do. But where is the parent support for Issue 75? Where is the outrage over the substandard conditions we are teaching in? Where is the appreciation for us coming in early, staying late, often giving up our lunch breaks and opening our wallets to spend our hard earned money to provide our students with a high quality education?
I believe in what we are doing in the public schools. I don’t see this levy as us asking for more than what I consider essential to help city schools maintain a quality education. Our students in these older buildings do not get an experience that is equal to suburban public facilities. We need to continue to move forward in upgrading books, facilities and programming to meet the needs of ALL students in the 21st century. We actually need to become even more radical in how we do school! Having computer access and technologically savvy teaching environments in every classroom is becoming a ‘must’ to compete with charters/private and schools around the world. And, like everything else in life, it costs money. But I believe you can get more for your money when invested in public facilities.
I’m a CPS teacher and parent. My kid goes to Alpine. I see lots of the kids there when I go to get him. I hate the thought of these kids losing out on art, music, etc. We’ve already cut so much- they get so little compared to the suburbs. I don’t want to see more taken away from them. We just gave 700 billion to irresponsible Wall St bankers– why should our children have to beg for this money?
In reference to Sunday’s Dispatch and their usual unkind articles to CCS– when you read the article the one thing that stood out was that most of the levy money would go for salaries and not things that would actually go directly to the students like curriculum or instructional items. Are we not instrumental in the communication of curriculum and instruction??? Do we not directly affect the students??? I must have missed something when I received my Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction!!!
As for those who can’t even find $40.00 after three or more pays, a little at a time works well, how well do you like your job? I liked mine well enough (and I will not be shown up by an administrator, especially mine) I matched the amount an administrator was asked to give– $100.00. Who else in this district is also willing to step up? All that is requested of us is $40.00. Yes, the economy is tight, budgets are tight, but at least you currently have money to budget with for your families. What happens to that budget when you are laid off??????!!!!! It is time to step up and take the bull by the horns.
My contribution of $40 is an act of support for everyone– our teachers and for our children. It is my intention to give more during these difficult economic times. Our union leaders, who are serving on the front lines for teachers, need encouragement to stay in the battle until victories are won. With teacher jobs on the line, this is a battle we cannot afford to lose.
$40.00 is a small sacrifice when you consider what is at stake! By giving money, I am showing support for my students, my co-workers, and my community.
The union is always giving to protect us and get the best for us from working conditions to benefits to investments. The least I could do is give forty dollars to support them because what they do benefits me.
I support the school levy because it is my moral obligation to provide the best public schools for the children of the community I live in. I chose to live in the city and send my children to Columbus City Schools because I believe in public urban education. My beliefs are so strong that I have dedicated my career to this district. I spend my own money to fill in the gaps. I have turned down opportunities to teach in the more affluent, better paid suburban districts. I support this levy and will support every levy our CCS requires until the State of Ohio meets its Supreme Court mandated order to create an equitable means of funding schools.