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The following is a letter I recently sent to the Minnesota State Senate regarding public school funding:

Dear Sirs,

I am writing in support of a restoration of funding to public education that would permit a complete education for all K-12 students, including English, Math, the Sciences, History, Social Studies, Health, Music and the Arts. I further believe this should be done in terms of small class sizes, and with a minimum of interference by State bureaucrats. You should also consider cutting back on the amount of mandatory testing required by the state, thereby allowing teachers to do the professional jobs for which they were hired.

Regarding the extra costs of special education, I believe every student should be educated to the extent of his or her abilities. However, I do not believe the public should be held responsible for unlimited special education benefits. Reasonable and practical cost constraints need to be applied to each case.

And yes, I am willing to see my taxes rise to accomplish these goals. My future, and that of every citizen of Minnesota and the United States, depends on the quality of education received by today's students. I consider this to be a sound investment in my own future well-being.

Sincerely,
Richard A. Demers
Minneapolis, MN

My wife, a High School Special Education teacher, remarked that I should have also added the following:

The only addition I'd make is to ask the legislature to pressure the Fed's to fully fund Special Education at the 40% level it promised in 1972, when the idea first came out. They are only funding 17% now.