Dear Members,
What a morning! Today our SVVEA Delegates and I joined over 600 Delegates attending the CEA Delegate Assembly, stood on the steps of the State Capitol to highlight the shortcomings of Senate Bill 191. Standing in the pouring rain, we listened to Representatives Judy Solano and Nancy Todd speak passionately about why we need to kill this bill. They understand and believe the dire consequences which will occur if this bill comes into law. They know and feel in their hearts the wrong that is being done to teachers and students because of this bill. They spoke out against it in front of the press and in front of their colleagues–because they believe in public education and our students and US!
While the majority of the delegation was outside, I joined our Colorado Association of Presidents inside the Capitol to talk and lobby our Legislators.
I was able to speak with Senator Shaffer, President of the Senate, and Evie Hudak, who is a member of the Education Committee. Both listened intently and I could feel their distress. It is one thing to make a decision from afar…but when you are standing face to face in a conversation, with the person you are harming–that is when it becomes real!
What a privilege it was for me, as your President, to be able to stand in the halls of our State Capitol lobbying on behalf of all of you and OUR STUDENTS. We cannot forget that–this bill will harm our students–because what is good for teachers IS good for students.
With this in mind, I ask that you join with me and try to do just a couple of important actions:
–read and learn about Colorado SB 191
–call or email your State Senator and Representative
–talk with EVERYBODY–your parents, your family, your neighbors;
help them understand that SB 191 is not good for kids
–watch for possible SVVEA efforts to highlight this issue
Join me in the fight to preserve strong public education, due process, our Master Agreement and the rights of all teachers. Let’s defeat SB 191!
Jerri Modrall
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