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SOS Candidate Forum Toolkit

Download the Toolkit | Download the Logo

The Candidate Forum Toolkit contains sample contains...

• Information on hosting a candidate forum
• Checklist Timeline
• Meet The Candidate Invitation Letter
• Follow Up Letter to Candidates
• Sample Agenda
• Sample Moderator Script
• Sample Rules
• Sample Questions
• Thank You Letter to Candidate
• Sample Meet the Candidate Forum Flyer

New Video Posted

A new video takes a concise look at Michigan’s education funding crisis: how we got here, how schools are coping, and what every Michigan citizen and leader must do to Save our Students, Schools and State. Thanks to Charlevoix-Emmet ISD Communications Services for production of this video.

We encourage you to download this video for use in your district:
Download Windows video (51MB) | Download Mac video (50MB)

New York Times: Districts warn of deeper teacher cuts

From the article:

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan estimated that state budget cuts imperiled 100,000 to 300,000 public school jobs. In an interview on Monday, he said the nation was flirting with “education catastrophe.”



“We absolutely see this as an emergency,” he said.

Read the full text...

We'll say it again: Students, Schools, State

On March 12, at a legislative breakfast, a Representative remarked that SOS might stand for "Save Our Salaries." This attempt at humor is a slap in the face to educators, administrators, and students who strive to excel as resources are stripped away. SOS Michigan chair Tom White has written a letter of response to the Representative, to once again explain the realistic opportunities for reform supported by SOS Michigan. Open the letter, and use it as a guide to respond to cynicism you may face.

New! Bulletin 1014

Use this new tool for district-to-district comparisons using annual revenue and expenditure data. This searchable database allows for comparison by demographics such as pupil count, county or region. Click here access this new tool.

SOS Supporters Rally at Capitol

SOS Michigan supporters descended on Lansing March 10, 2010 to urge legislators to "Do Your Job" and fix Michigan's structural funding deficit. Public school students, parents, staff, and leaders gathered on the Capitol lawn, then visited their legislators to demand reliable and adequate public school funding. See photos, watch recorded speeches, and download printable postcards you can use in your community.

SOS Michigan Co-hosts Press Conference

SOS Michigan and MSBO co-hosted a press conference Monday, March 8, 2010, to release the findings of a report conducted by the Citizens Research Council. This year’s survey of school business officials across Michigan reveals that dozens of schools are already cash-strapped, and may be pushed into deficit status, The report also shows that schools are scrambling to stay afloat, implementing measures from closing schools and cutting positions to operating on a four-day school week. Read more...

SOS releases position statement

At a February 16 press conference, SOS released our Policies for a Stronger Michigan. We sent an SOS to Lansing: We need seift and bold action to make difficult but needed changes. Read more.

New Webinar Posted!

Join superintendent Leonard Rezmierski and assistant superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher as they describe the series of community forums that will help shape the steep cuts the district will be forced to implement as early as second-semester 2009-10 and continuing through 2010-11. Learn how this community engagement process is mobilizing the community to action, and is already becoming a model that neighboring districts will adapt. View this Webinar.

Two New Videos for SOS!

We’re pleased to provide two new videos for your viewing and use. These are intended to provide factual background information that will help your staff and community better understand the economic situation Michigan faces, and the alternatives for the future.  We encourage you to share them with your district’s union leadership, employees and with your school and community groups. You may reproduce them or link to them as you wish. We believe the first step to solving our situation is gaining a common understanding among our diverse stakeholders. SOS will continue to produce these types of videos on a variety of topics for your use; please let us know if there are any specific issues you’d like to see, or any particular speaker who you feel has a message that should be shared. Click here to read more. 

Let your voice be heard! Student Video Submission

SOS! (Save our Students, Schools and State) is asking that students get involved in the campaign to help save our schools. We’re hosting a video submission and asking that students from across Michigan flex their creative muscles to show Lansing legislators that cuts to education equate to more than numbers on a page. Click here for more infomation

Read the Full Story Here.