Whereas, high-quality public education for all is an anchor of democracy, an economic necessity, a moral imperative and a fundamental civil right; and
Whereas, the school leaders who run our public schools are deeply committed to helping students build lives of great purpose and potential by instilling essential knowledge and the critical thinking necessary for becoming responsible citizens and active participants in civic life; and
Whereas, powerful corporate interests have engaged in an unrelenting campaign to privatize America’s public schools in pursuit of profit to the inevitable detriment of equal education for all; and
Whereas, elected officials have diverted urgently needed public resources to private, for-profit organizations over the objections of school leaders, parents and civic organizations; and
Whereas, school leaders are ideally positioned to help galvanize and advance the growing resistance to the corporate drive for privatization, owing to their knowledge of the needs of the communities they serve and the credibility necessary for influencing public opinion; and
Whereas, as an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, AFSA locals can call upon allies in Central Labor Councils, State Federations and our fellow AFL-CIO in communities throughout the country to challenge the privateers who are undermining the standing and resources of our public schools; and
Whereas, parent and civic organizations, civil rights groups, and other progressive groups and working family organizations share our enduring commitment to preventing privatization of our public schools, and who stand in support of efforts to support, rather than close, our public schools; and
Whereas, AFSA’s recent collaboration with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has already borne evidence of the value of a united front in influencing policy and the nation’s political leaders;
Therefore be it resolved, that AFSA members take a leading role in building coalitions in their communities that unite our allies in challenging the unwarranted criticisms, false criteria for evaluating performance and the unrelenting assaults on public resources that pose an imminent threat to the survival of the nation’s public schools and the principle of providing high-quality public education for all.