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 From left are Tony Vogel, Rep. Sean Garballey, Colleen Kirby Cho, David Landskov, Ron Spanglerg, Vicki Ford, Cindy Starks and Barbara Goodman. Stand for Children members on tax day As millions of Bay State residents filed their taxes, about 40 Arlington residents met on Beacon Hill with 19 legislators in support of public schools. Alongside hundreds of other Stand for Children members from across the commonwealth, these grass-roots education advocates pushed for increased school funding and educational reform as the Legislature considers the state budget.
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Among the legislators with whom Arlington Stand members met were Senate President Therese Murray, Senators Bob Antonioni and Jim Marzilli and Representatives William Brownsberger and Sean Garballey.
 “We all have to pay taxes every April 15,” said Arlington Stand for Children member Kate Lindheim. “And as a taxpayer, I want to do my part to ensure those dollars are being spent well.
"Investing in our public schools — and the future of our kids — is one of the smartest long-term choices we can make. Every child deserves a fair chance in life, and Stand for Children is committed to ensuring kids in Arlington and across Massachusetts have the kind of quality education that prepares them for the information economy.”
Brownsberger met with a team of five Arlington residents, including Selectmen Annie LaCourt and Jack Hurd, now a Senate candidate, as well as Tony Vogel, who led the delegation. “I always appreciate hearing from Stand for Children members because they share my values,” Brownsberger told the delegation.
Arlington Stand for Children co-presidents Cindy Starks and Barbara Goodman led the group that met with Garballey, who said, “I think of Stand for Children as a colleague of mine in improving education for all students.”
“We’re fortunate that both Brownsberger and Garballey are strong education advocates,” Vogel added. “Stand for Children looks forward to working with them closely to ensure our public schools get the support they need so that kids in Arlington and across the state can excel.”
This year, members of Stand for Children are advocating for a budget that invests all corporate tax loophole revenue in public education, and in helping low-income residents pay the property tax bills that schools heavily depend on.
Why? Money for classroom instruction is actually shrinking. High dropout rates are a statewide challenge. Last year a record 99 override attempts failed, forcing many communities to slash education and services.
In meetings with more than 80 legislators April 15, Stand members urged support for:
- Financial Relief for schools, including restoring lost Chapter 70 aid and raising the state reimbursement of local special-education costs;
- Reform, specifically an education Adequacy Study to update state estimates of what it actually costs to educate a child; and
- Innovation, including investing in smart strategies that improve results – such as teacher quality, early education and extended learning time for communities that want it.
Stand for Children is a statewide voice for children with members in omore than 65 communities in Massachusetts. Stand for Children’s 11 chapters across the state hosted legislator forums in February and March before joining together on April 15 at the State House as part of Stand for Children’s Day on the Hill. To learn more or sign up to attend, visit www.stand.org/ma.
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