Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton tries to stop all new charter schools in New York

March 7th, 2009

New York State assemblywoman Barbara Lifton has introduced legislation to try to stop New Roots from opening. Read about it in the Ithaca Journal. We need to write, call and e-mail to let her know this is not acceptable.  Below is a sample letter for you to modify.  Please change it to make it your own. For some financial facts about New Roots you may want to include in your letter, scroll down to "Related Files" and click on Myths & Facts.

Dear Barbara Lifton,

I am very disappointed with your decision to introduce legislation to suspend the establishment of charter schools, which is a thinly veiled attempt to shut down New Roots Charter School in Ithaca.  I'm discouraged by your unwillingness to learn all the facts, not only about charter school funding in general, but about New Roots Charter School in particular. New Roots will not "drain" the "scarce" resources of the district. It's outrageous to make such claims when the financial facts are available to you. 

The approval of New Roots Charter School is due in no small part to the pent-up demand in the Ithaca community for greater educational choice, a demand created by the Ithaca City School District's failure to respond to this community call over the past few decades.  The ICSD certainly does an excellent job of serving the needs of some children, but by its own account is failing many others.  LACS is a great option, but it is able to accept only 1 in 3 who apply. Something new is desperately needed, and charter schools can fill that need by providing innovative, tuition-free public education.

Further, New Roots is an innovative school that will create standards-based sustainability curriculum and practices that can be used by high schools across New York State. This work responds to the call of our state, national, and international leaders to transform educational practices in the service of greater community sustainability.  Can we afford to delay this work, given the economic, social and environmental crisis that plagues our country and our planet?  In this time more than ever, our state leaders need to be forward-thinking--able to see the big picture and respond thoughtfully to the complexities of Ithaca's educational and financial issues. Regarding our children's education, I expect my elected representatives to show more informed understanding and leadership.

Sincerely,