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Friends of E Prep Schools

Newsletter

	May - June, 2009
	NEWS UPDATE FOR THE FRIENDS OF E PREP SCHOOLS

STATE FUNDING AT RISK!

Right now, the key to E Prep’s future is making sure the State of Ohio understands the importance of educating low-income students, and making sure legislators know that schools like E Prep are models for the future. Unfortunately, we’re not sure they DO understand that.

	1.	FUNDING SITUATION – THE GOVERNOR
		You may have heard that Governor Strickland proposed deep cuts in funding for charter schools in Ohio, including massive cuts for high-performing schools such as E Prep, Citizens’ Academy, and The Intergenerational School. Massive cuts, if passed by the legislature, would force our schools to close. As unbelievable as that sounds, it’s true.

	2.	FUNDING SITUATION – THE HOUSE
		After reviewing Governor Strickland’s version of the budget, the House heard from our three schools and many other charter schools, and led us to believe that the massive cuts proposed by Strickland would be overturned… at least where quality schools are concerned. Thus far, we have no evidence that this is true. Historically, we only received about 70% of the amount that traditional public schools receive in Ohio. The proposed additional cuts would lower that to 50% or less. Again, unbelievable.

	3.	FUNDING SITUATION – THE SENATE
		In the past, the Senate has supported charter schools in Ohio, and has vowed to continue to do so. We are all grateful for that. Unfortunately, even if they "restore" funding to previous "under funded" levels, they still have to deal with the House and the Governor in a committee setting. Lots of unfortunate things can happen there.

	4.	FUNDING SITUATION – YOUR ROLE
		Your role (should you choose to accept it) is to quickly and broadly communicate with state representatives to help educate them so we can stop this madness now. Please go to our website, www.eprepschool.org and click on BUDGET LETTER. You will have multiple letters from which to choose. You will see names and addresses of elected state officials. We need to mail thousands of letters in the next week.

	5.	MEANWHILE, HOW ARE THE STUDENTS DOING?
		100% of our students have completed this year’s Ohio Achievement Tests, which measure whether or not they have mastered the material that they should have mastered for their grade. Results are coming in June. In the meantime, all of our 8th graders are being immersed in our entrepreneurship program. All of our 8th graders have been placed in college-prep high schools. The next incoming class of 200 6th graders is almost full! The incoming class of 60 kindergarteners at Village Preparatory School (our new elementary school) is already full. The move to 1417 E 36th Street has happened!