SYRACUSE — Wawasee Community School Corporation released the following letter Thursday, Nov. 14, signed by Dr. Tom Edington, superintendent; Rebecca Linnemeier, school board president; and Kim Jones and Angela Lortie, co-presidents of the Wawasee Community Educators Association:

“Tuesday, November 19, is organizational day for the Indiana General Assembly. That day has also been designated as a statewide call to action for education.

“Teachers from across the state will gather to express their great concerns over state treatment of its public schools and pay for school teachers. Indiana public school funding has lagged behind the rate of inflation since the state took over school general funding a decade ago. Indiana teacher raises trail every other state during the past 15 to 20 years.

“The recent Indiana General Assembly brought public school increases of 2+%, while private school vouchers and charter school funding jumped over 10%.

“Our teachers and other employees work hard and spend time in preparation, grading, and out-of-school-day activities. Our Wawasee community is surging forward economically using a variety of homegrown talent. Our teachers are also extremely dedicated! Although more would like to go to Indianapolis to be heard on Tuesday, only a smaller group will travel to represent the remainder of our caring staff. Those of us staying behind will be wearing red in support.

“Wawasee will be in session on Tuesday. We have some great substitutes and classes will be productive.

“Mr. Rogers of TV fame said, ‘Please think of the children first.’ All associated with Wawasee schools will be doing that on Tuesday.”