We parents, business people, educators, elected representatives, and community members seek full funding for Superintendent Donna Hanlin's Imagine 2022 plan. While we have the promise of funds from the state and from the Board of Education, we still need Wicomico County to step up and contribute their part, which is estimated to be about $790,000. With this funding, we can achieve this phase of the plan, which works toward:

1. Increase teacher recruitment and retention: a 3% pay raise for underpaid and undervalued teachers

2. Universal Pre-Kindergarten: Every child, regardless of income, has the opportunity to attend a full day of Pre-Kindergarten, thus greatly increasing current levels of school readiness (currently just 41%) among our Kindergartners. 

3. Increase graduation rates for high school students: Invest in intervention, programs, and support that are proven to improve graduation rates.

We implore the Wicomico County Council and County Executive Bob Culver to contribute the $790,000 necessary (less than one percent of the county's overall budget) to improve public education in Wicomico County, so we can go from "good enough" to "great." The funding would come from the budget; that is, this education funding proposal does not call for one penny in raised taxes. 

Our business leaders strongly advocate for this, as they recognize the economic benefits of investment in public education. 

Our parents strongly advocate for this, as we recognize the moral value of strong, innovative schools that allow our children to flourish. 

Our community members advocate for the proven benefits of fully funding public education: improved public safety, sustainable employment, and increased quality of life for families.

Our educators advocate for this as they tirelessly nurture, teach, and inspire our children, while struggling to support their own families on stagnant salaries.

Sincerely,

Wicomico PUSH4Education