A Call for Halting Public Education School Closings

Adopted

WHEREAS, quality education is a major civil right which has been historically advocated by the NAACP; and 

WHEREAS, urban districts across the country are preparing to close schools as they adjust to declining populations. Twenty-six in Kansas City, forty-one in Detroit and more than two dozen altogether in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago; and 

WHEREAS, continuing budget cuts by State legislatures to Public Schools in order to spare wealthier school districts; and 

WHEREAS, the seizure and re-distribution of these public funds ensure that equal educational opportunity for all children will not be achieved; and 

WHEREAS, failure to achieve equal educational opportunity is contrary to and inconsistent with the guarantees contained in the United States Constitution and affirmed in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision; and 

WHEREAS, all government agencies have the duty and responsibility to address the needs of public education, as provided by the Federal "No Child Left Behind Act." 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP launches a national investigation into funding of Public School Districts, in which the States continue to take money away from the Department of Education and put it in the funds to house non-violent offenders in the Department of Corrections causing closures of schools due to lack of funds; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP direct all its units to be vigilant in their opposition to such Public School closures; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP encourages all units to continue to advocate through direct action, legislation and litigation against unequal funding for urban school districts; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP encourages all its units to contact their members of congress and to tell them "Not to Close Public Schools" and to advocate for equal funding to Public School Districts.