|
Watkins Calls On Governor To Help Put America To Work Fixing Schools
"Our local communities need
the help of the state and national government to address the
savage inequalities that exist in far too many of our
neighborhood public schools. It
would be unacceptable for your three daughters or my two
children to attend the unsafe, unfit, ill equipped schools
that too many of our children are forced to attend.
It should be just as
unacceptable for all children of Michigan and America to
attend such schools. The gap
between the have and have-nots is as wide as it is inexcusable
and unacceptable."
For more articles on disabilities and special ed visit
www.bridges4kids.org.
September 4, 2002
The Honorable John Engler
Governor
State Capitol
Lansing, MI 48909
Dear Governor Engler:
I am asking you to use your influence as the immediate past
chairman of the National Governors Association and one of the
longest serving Governors in the nation to call on the
President and Congress to initiate a national school
infrastructure bill to renovate and build new schools across
America. I can think of no better way to accomplish the
multiple goals of:
Investing in the future of our country
Supporting the principles of democracy
Stimulating the economy
Putting countless skilled trades people back to work
Providing our children with classrooms that are equipped so
that no child is left behind
Promoting economic growth and opportunity
Our neighborhood public schools are the true Statue of
Liberty. Who else takes the tired, the hungry, the poor, the
huddled masses, and children with disabilities and creates
hope and opportunities?
It is estimated that in Michigan alone there is $15 billion in
capital needs for schools. We have schools that leak both
vertically and horizontally, have lead pipes, asbestos, are
heated by coal, and do not meet current fire marshal
standards. Hamtramck's newest school was built in 1930 and the
children have band practice in the boiler room.
Our local communities need the help of the state and national
government to address the savage inequalities that exist in
far too many of our neighborhood public schools. It would be
unacceptable for your three daughters or my two children to
attend the unsafe, unfit, ill equipped schools that too many
of our children are forced to attend. It should be just as
unacceptable for all children of Michigan and America to
attend such schools. The gap between the have and have-nots is
as wide as it is inexcusable and unacceptable.
Recently, a $1 billion bond issue was proposed to support
sewers and schools infrastructure. The sewer bond issue will
be on the November ballot. The school bond will not. Do we
value sewers more than our children?
Local communities need leadership at the state and national
level on this vital issue. There is no better investment in
our future, our communities, and our children than investing
in the neighborhood public schools.
I stand ready to help in any way I can.
Sincerely,
Thomas D. Watkins, Jr.
Superintendent of Public Instruction
|
