As constituents and supporters, we want Mecklenburg County commissioners and members of North Carolina General Assembly to commit to fully funding Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools budget for fiscal year 2014-15. This budget was created with unprecedented input from the community. We want to join the chorus of support for this important investment in Charlotte’s future.

As Public School Friends, we care deeply about the availability and accessibility of quality public education in Mecklenburg County and have great respect for the teaching profession. We believe that a pay increase for CMS teachers, increased funding for personalized learning and instructional support, well-funded social and emotional support staff and services, and teacher training for literacy teachers in the early grades are all vital to ensuring that this community continues to provide quality education for every child. It is also a critical time to send a message to our teachers about how much we respect and value their service.