PASS THE SLOT REFERENDUM: IT WILL HELP BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND - Vote for Question #2 on the Maryland State Voter Ballot

We represent approximately 20,000 workers across the state, in both the public and private sectors and we endorse the passage of the November 4th slots referendum. It is crucial that we pass this referendum.

Our members are dedicated and hardworking municipal and school employees. They are doing their very best to provide much needed services in and around Baltimore City schools with fewer and fewer resources. We now have the power to make a change for them. We can make a change for our children by supporting the referendum for slots in Maryland.

1.    BCPSS has a $50 million shortfall with an expected $11 million budget increase for FY’ 08-09 and a projected $61 million in added expenses including $42 million in negotiated salaries, $5 million for utility costs and $14 million in miscellaneous expenses. Our children need resources that will improve their education. Now, we have a way to help them.

2.    The current BCPSS budget has $50 million in cuts and per pupil spending ranges from:   $7,000 to $20,000 in elementary schools, from $7,000 to $13,000 in elementary/middle schools, from $9,000 to $28,000 in middle schools, and from $8,000 to $17,000 in high schools.

3.     The system spends more on its middle schools (most of which are troubled and many of which are closing) than on other types of schools. We must provide targeted support to our middle schools with valuable training, enhanced curriculum and better and safer schools. Maryland slots will help us to do this!

4.    Under the current budget, only 14 percent of dollars are discretionary for spending at the school level and principals have only about $90 per pupil of money to spend as they see fit. This number would change drastically if the school system could depend on money from slot machine revenue to supplement discretionary and other types of spending in schools.

5.    Surprisingly, the total State aid to Baltimore City remains the same (zero percent) from FY 2008-FY2009.

6.    Slots will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new education funding.  Without this revenue taxpayers across the State of Maryland will be facing either a severe reduction of services or additional taxes. Neither of these is acceptable.

7.    We cannot allow this referendum to fail! Baltimore City students and workers will once again be forced to face school year after school year with outdated facilities, larger class sizes, outdated textbooks and a shortage of school supplies.

We know the problems in our schools and now we have a way to help our children. We must invest in our State and in our future.  Cast your votes in favor of the slot referendum. Let’s all do our part of Maryland and for the children who attend Baltimore City Public Schools. Let’s work together to pass the slot referendum. We can do it in November!  Thank you.

For more information on this referendum contact Dr. Nicole M. Francis, Council 67 Administrator at  nfrancis@afscme67.org
*Reference Attached: Baltimore Sun: BCPSS Budget Briefing, Feb. 21, 2008