This message was received from the Washington Coalition For Gifted Education, our lobby for Highly Capable Education in Washington State. ABC is a member of the Coaltion. Comments or questions can be sent to wagifted@earthlink.net or barbaragmaurer@yahoo.com. If you wish to have your name added to their mailing list, send a notice to wagifted@earthlink.net.
This message contains three parts.
1. Supplemental Budget
In her initial Supplemental Budget for 2010-2011, Governor Gregoire proposes to suspend $7.4 million of 2010-11 highly capable funding.*
The Legislature will also propose a version of the Supplemental Budget after January 11. Gifted education has strong supporters in the Legislature and we will work closely with them on the issue of highly capable funding.
To make known your support of highly capable funding send the Governor a message through her web site http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp or the hot line 1.800.562.6000.
In a situation like this, it is the sheer number of messages, not the weight of your arguments, that will count. Make your message simple: “I want you to fully fund highly capable programs in the Supplemental Budget,” or “Do not suspend highly capable program funding in the Supplemental Budget.”
After the Legislature convenes we will be requesting you to contact legislators about both the budget and the implementation of the provisions of ESHB 2261.
2. Gifted Education Day, February 5, 2010
We need as many people in Olympia on Feb. 5 as is humanly possible, prepared to talk to legislators about the needs of gifted students. Organizing has begun and more information will be sent out soon. Please prepare to join us in Olympia!
3. Coalition Meeting
The Coalition will meet on January 7 at the Kohlwes Administration Center, Renton School District. to work out the details of Gifted Education Day and other items. Mark your calendar and please plan to join us. A reminder and agenda will be sent out closer to the date.
*To see the actual budget proposal, go to http://www.ofm.wa.gov/budget10/bills/default.asp and select operating 2010 supplemental. Highly capable is on page 168.
