URGENT: Rally in Support of Metro School Workers this Monday at 5:00!

Last night, the Metro Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution asking the Metro School Board to hold another public hearing on the budget since they botched the last one by not having Channel 3 there and for not having enough room to accomodate everyone.  I covered all this on our blog over the last 48 hours and the City Paper wrote about it today.
 
The School Board's chairman, David Fox, has decided to ignore the Council's resolution.  However, the Metro Council is going to hold their own public hearing to make sure everyone is heard.
 
The Metro Council's public hearing on the MNPS budget will be this coming Monday, March 22 at the Metro Southeast Building (next to Genesco by the Airport) which is located at 1417 Murfreesboro Pike, 37217.  Here's a map.  Parking is free. 
 
The actual public hearing will be at 5:30, but we're holding a rally first, so please try to be there at 5:00 pm!
 
While citizens will not be required to sign up to speak in advance, there is a three-minute time limit, so please have your remarks prepared in advance if you want to speak.
 
Remember, this budget is proposing to privatize or outsource some 700 support workers, which means these folks will see their pay and benefits cut even if they get to keep their job.  Those jobs are held by mostly minority workers who are barely living above poverty.  Also, bus drivers are taking a big hit in the checkbook with a proposal that would cut 10 hours out of every paycheck.
 
In this economy, our friends and neighbors simply cannot afford to have this proposal pass in its current form and since the Metro Council will be the next step in the budgeting process, it is crucial that we have a good turnout to let the Council know what's at stake.
 
Please spread the word among your friends, family, and co-workers!