Posted 2-7-2018 (Dated 2-3-2-18) Urgent testimony needed for ConAm; Deadline Sun@3:15 p.m.

Call to action: We need your testimony submitted A.S.A.P. on HSTA's constitutional amendment to provide additional funding for our public schools! The first hearing will be THIS MONDAY, February 5, 2018, in the Senate Committee on Education at 3:15 p.m. During the legislative session, we usually receive just 48 hours notice about committee hearings, leading to our urgent, last-minute testimony requests. If we had more notice, we'd gladly give you more notice, too. :) The Legislature requests written testimony be received 48 hours before a proposal is heard, so the deadline for this bill is Sunday (tomorrow) at 3:15 p.m. Please email your testimony to EDUtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov  (SAMPLE TESTIMONY BELOW! ) Mahalo for your support! We can't thank you enough! Mitzie Higa Hawaii State Teachers Association Government Relations Specialist  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample testimony (feel free to copy and paste, and/or revise to make your own): TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION RE: SB 2922 RELATING TO EDUCATION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2018 3:15 p.m.   Aloha Chair Kidani and Members of the Committee: My name is [INSERT NAME]. I am a [TEACHER/COMMUNITY MEMBER] at [INSERT SCHOOL] in [INSERT DISTRICT] on [INSERT ISLAND]. I am submitting testimony in support of SB 2922 to increase funding for public schools. Our children are our future. When teachers instruct their students, we build the foundation for equality and prosperity for tomorrow’s generations. Every dollar invested in our community’s public schools yields exponential returns, not just for our economy, but for the promise of a more open and democratic society. Supporting this proposal will lift Hawai’i’s schools into the 21st Century. A vote for this measure is a vote for lower class sizes that allow teachers to connect with their students, whole child education that includes the arts and Hawaiian studies, providing resources and services for students with special needs, and professional pay that reflects the value of our hardworking teachers. We need additional funding for our public schools, because... [OPTIONAL: INSERT a paragraph or two, tell your personal story or specific anecdotes about how lack of funding affects your children/ students/community, how low pay and a lack of resources are driving teachers in your schools out of the profession, how teachers have to hold second and third jobs when they should be able to concentrate on their students, etc., how investing in our public schools is an investment in our society/future] To deliver the schools our keiki deserve, please support this bill. We need your help. Mahalo. [INSERT NAME, DISTRICT, ISLAND] You can submit your testimony on the Hawaii Capitol website at  https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/  or email your testimony directly to EDUtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov Please submit before 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, Februrary 4, if you are able. Thanks again for responding to this last-minute request. Again, we often receive just two days' notice that measures are being heard by lawmakers. Please share this request widely with your friends, family and co-workers. We'd very much like lawmakers to hear support for this proposal from a wide variety of the community, including teachers. Mahalo for your time and your collective action.

Copyright © 2018 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819