At the Capital

As I type this, my fellow ORCA parents are gathering at the state capital for a hearing on the charter virtual issue, specifically State Bill 767 and some other issues.

I have already seen some maneuvering with this hearing since last night. This was supposed to be a joint meeting between representatives from the House and Senators from the Senate. Some big wig in the Department of Education made a late night decision last night to make it strictly a house meeting. And that person is not a supporter of virtual schools. I am not sure what her motivations are, but it feels slimy.

Anyway, please pray for those Oregonian families are took a day off of work, put aside schoolwork today, and are making the huge effort to go and speak at this hearing. I pray they are heard, and I pray they see the bigger issues of this bill rather than just union dollars.

Please also pray for us. Our home will be deluged by a local news station tomorrow regarding this issue. It was a weird contact and connection to get this going. Trust me, I don't normally invite the local media into my home. All of us, me included, realize that the public needs to see what we parents do every day with our kids. We aren't just eating chips and watching Animal Planet. It is a huge time commitment, sacrifice and effort to do what we are required, by the state, to do every day. I want the camera to capture that.

Two other families are coming over to give a statement. Plus, ORCA saved me and had their media liaison call me to give me sound bytes. She is also coming, and in just talking to her, she is a sweet lady.

The impression I am getting this week from all the communication, the representatives are hearing us. This will be a difficult bill for them to pass. Word is getting out. However, the bottom line is this--the state of Oregon passed a resolution ten years ago to approve charter schools. A few years after that, they approved ORCA. Since then, during every legislative session, there are numerous bills to get rid of them before they really have had a chance to start. This state needs to stop being so oppositional to charter schools, and put their action where their legislation is, and that is to welcome charter schools. Not welcome them by approving them and granting them charters, then red tape them to death.