In the past few days I have noted paid signature gatherers in front of every market, and other public places, each asking for signatures for yet another charter schools initiative. Their presence is due to the fact that big money is willing to pay people to collect these signatures. Ask yourself: Why would big money be willing to invest so much in a charter schools bill that differs little from those that have been rejected by Washington voters three times already? Why are they investing so much when all the data tells us that charter schools don't work, and they take money away from our own public schools? The only possible answer is that they are actually seeking to undermine public schools. Public schools do not need to have resources taken away from them. Please support your public schools, and the teachers who care for our children by refusing to sign the charter schools initiative petitions. Our public schools are the foundation of our modern democracy. They need our help. We should reject this latest attack on public education.

Paul Hope

Bellingham