Teachers Let Go, Meeting Tonight to Discuss 201 Cuts.

There will be a District 201 Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 pm at Morton East High School (2423 S. Austin Blvd...park one block east of Austin). Please attend the meeting in support of quality public education for the children of Berwyn. Yesterday over 200 teachers were given pink slips. The budget cuts specified will likely increase drop-out rates and limit the chances for college acceptance. Berwyn CARES wishes to partner with the District 201 Board of Education to establish an advisory committee to address educational and financial deficiencies. Please attend to support the students of Berwyn and to signal a willingness by our community to engage in real educational reform. Together we CAN make a difference.

Be Heard!

Last week, District 201 announced severe budget cuts that will significantly impact the quality of education in our community. Cuts include laying off teachers, reducing classes/credits required for graduation, increasing class size and eliminating many programs. The cuts are largely the result of a state financial mess and a system that relies on property tax to fund education. Many parents and teachers in our district favor HB 174 which, if passed, would provide property tax relief while raising the Illinois income tax level from 3 to 5% to more equitable fund education. Click here to read the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability's analysis of the bill.

After learning about the state budget crisis and the impact on education RIGHT HERE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, please click here and comment on the governor's proposed budget. Ask the governor to support public education by passing real education funding reform. THIS IS URGENT. Please take the time to comment today and ask your child's teacher to do the same. It only takes a few minutes and it will give 8000 kids in our community 4 years of quality high school education. You can't really put a price on that!