The Perpich-Crosswinds language is now part of HF270, the House bonding omnibus bill. That bill is expected to come up for consideration on the House floor this week. Please write your State Representative today to ask for their support. If you are unsure of who your Representative is, please visit the “Who Represents Me” page at the House to find out. Also ask your friends and family members statewide to write to their Representatives. Here is a sample of what you might say:

Dear Representative _________,

I am writing to ask you to support HF270, which is likely to come to the House floor this week. Sections 32, 33, 34, 51, and 52 of this bonding omnibus bill include important language that allow the Perpich Center for Arts Education to take on governance of the Crosswinds Arts and Science School. It is vital, in these days of diversifying demographics, that this important integration program remain open and continue to serve as model for Minnesota. Crosswinds shows that the achievement gap can be closed. It shows that choice can lead to integration with a student body comprised of 50% students of color, 50% receiving free or reduced lunch, and 26% receiving special education services.

As all of Minnesota’s communities are struggling with the biggest achievement gap in the country, I know you want Minnesota to be a leader in education. I know you want children in our community to have the opportunity to practice successful global citizenship, through the innovation that comes with integration.

I urge you to support the Crosswinds language in the bonding bill and to oppose any amendments to that language when it comes to the floor. Please help preserve a model that works for Minnesota.

Thank you for your service to our community,
_______

Please forward this sample letter to friends, relatives, coworkers, anyone you can contact, who would support the effort to keep Crosswinds available in Minnesota.

Our hope is that Perpich, by keeping Crosswinds open, can share the lessons learned at this successful “lab” school with communities statewide. Crosswinds was built with state funds, we believe it should serve as a model for the whole state.