Campaign

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The

Let’s Save Public Schools!• Let’s inform the media,

politicians, and the general public about the issues teachers care most about!• Let’s stop the dismantling of

public education!• Let’s restore respect for the

teaching profession!• Let’s embolden more teachers

to get involved and take action! 2

The Decline to Sign Campaign• The Decline to Sign Campaign alerted

teachers to realities of the 25% contract• The goal was to raise awareness, unite

teachers with a common voice, and send a message to the General Assembly through school board resolutions• As of April 6th, 45 school boards, almost

40% of all NC school boards, have passed resolutions opposing this policy!• Over 50% of all NC K12 students are

served by these school districts! 3

Key Issues:• Raise teacher pay & per-pupil funding to the nat’l avg.• Restore pay steps for all state employees• Teaching Assistants for all K-3 classrooms• Class size limits for all K-12 classrooms• Minimize time used for test-taking & prep• Only developmentally appropriate testing• Guard against “cherry-picking” of high-scoring students

by certain charter schools• Restore master’s & doctoral pay• Restore career status and due process• Restore Teaching Fellows 4

1. Maximize number of petition signatures.2. Teachers visit legislative incumbents and candidates to invite them

to town halls and legislative forums.3. Town Halls for teachers to tell their stories to the audience with

candidates and the media listening.4. Legislative forums where candidates will go on record regarding

where they stand on our issues.5. Turn out voters for the May 6th election and primary.6. Mobilize teachers, parents, and students to the legislature or local

education rallies on May 14th.7. Write, call, and visit state legislators in their offices.8. Fill legislature balcony seating on Monday nights.

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Key Steps:

1. Click to download campaign materials.2. Share the online petition at this link.3. Call your NCAE UniServ Director or Local NCAE Presi

dent If you need extra support or information on what is going on!

4. Meet with your local legislative candidates, ask them to sign thepetition, and invite them to an upcoming Town Hall or Candidate Forum.

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Getting Started

www.ncae.org/weheartpublicschools

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Town Halls & Forums• Your local NCAE UniServ Director or Activist Committee are

scheduling Town Halls & Legislative Forums near you.• We encourage retired teachers to moderate them.• Candidate Forum & Interview Questions will be available for

everyone in attendance, who are encouraged to keep these issues the focus of the evening.

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Endorsement Meetings• The President of your local chapter should facilitate legislative

candidate endorsement interviews.• Contact your local President to find our how you can get involved.• Endorsement Interview Questions should be utilized during the

interviews.

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May 14th:They’re Back!

• The General Assembly begins its short and only legislative session of 2014 on May 14th.

• Teachers can ask their principal for a personal day on May 14th (2 weeks notice is best) this time, it’s personal!

• Public schools supporters, wearing red and/or t-shirts will greet legislators as they arrive in the morning and begin filling the balconies at 11am• Every Wednesday: Local activities will meet legislators: calls, emails,

post cards, office visits, etc.

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Summer Activism• As soon as school’s out, teachers and supporters of

public education will host instructional conferences across our state to maximize the power, effectiveness, and number of people across our state who will join us in this fight for public schools. We need folks like you to help make this happen!• Check out www.ncae.org or www.ncae.org/

weheartpublicschools for information regarding training dates

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• It’s all hands on deck as we work together to GOTV (Get Out The Vote)! Local chapters of the NCAE are currently interviewing legislative candidates for endorsements. Fall is all about getting these people elected through phone banking, door-knocking, voter education, and souls to the polls!

• It’s all about engaging members and signing up new members –so share your story with potential members today!

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Fall Activism

We can’t do this without you! If you aren’t a member already, please consider joining the NCAE at this link:

https://ims.nea.org/JoinNea

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So Let’s Get Going!