MEDIA ADVISORY

Cupertino Education Association/CTA                                       April 20, 2010

20045 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 1B

Cupertino, CA  95014                                                             
(408) 257-2122

www.ceaweb.org

Contacts by cell:    Cupertino Education Association President Dave Villafana at 650-823-9563; parent leader Hoi Yung Poon, 415-235-5249; Mike Myslinski at CTA, 408-921-5769.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cupertino Parents Raise $1 Million of $3 Million Goal

 To Save Jobs Of 107 Teachers - News Conference Wednesday With Grateful Educators

CUPERTINO - In a news conference Wednesday, grateful Cupertino Union School District teachers will join leaders of a devoted grassroots parent movement that has raised $1 million of its $3 million goal to save teaching jobs of 107 classroom educators who received preliminary pink slips this spring.

"While funding public schools is the responsibility of the state, Cupertino educators are extraordinarily grateful to be in a community with such devoted parents who understand the importance of teachers in providing a quality education for all students here," said teacher Dave Villafana, president of the Cupertino Education Association. "The passion that parents are showing in trying to save so many teaching jobs is an inspiration for the entire town."

Across the state, public schools are reeling from $17 billion in education cuts over the past two years and some communities are pitching in to save jobs or programs. Facing a budget deficit of $7.3 million in the next school year starting July 1, Cupertino Union issued 107 classroom teacher pink slips March 15 and must make final layoff decisions by May 15, the legal deadline. The high-achieving K-8 district - which ranks ninth-highest in test scores out of the state's 1,000 school districts - also eliminated smaller class sizes at the K-3 level, slashed school librarian hours and intends to layoff support staff as well.

The parents' fundraising website is www.SaveCupertinoSchools.org. The 18,000-student district serves families in Cupertino, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Los Altos and Saratoga.

·       WHAT:       Cupertino Union School District parents raise $1 million of their $3 million goal and will hold news conference with grateful teachers about what's next.

·       WHEN:       12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21.

·       WHERE:    In the performing arts center of Christa McAuliffe Elementary, 12211 Titus Ave., Saratoga, 95070.

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The Cupertino Education Association is affiliated with the 325,000-member California Teachers Association and the 3.2 million-member National Education Association.