An open letter to the South Dakota Legislators

Let’s be LAST in education!

Let’s make this the LAST year we undervalue the worth of all educational professionals.

Let’s make this the LAST year we foolishly cling to the belief that size doesn’t matter.

Let’s make this the LAST year that arbitrary tests evaluate learning.

Let’s make this the LAST year we “make do” with what we can rather than attract what we want and need.

Let’s make this the LAST year we ashamedly have to say we’re LAST in teacher pay.

We who taught you how to read and write:

We who taught you how to add and subtract:

We who taught you how to dribble a ball and walk a balance beam:

We who taught you how to draw, paint, sing, and play:

We who taught you history and civics:

We who taught you foreign language and how to balance your checkbook:

We who taught you the scientific method:

We who instilled in you the desire to serve and the ability to reason…

We, your teachers, urge you to place educational finance as your FIRST priority!

You have the responsibility.  You have the resources.  You have to act now to make an educational difference that will LAST.