CALL TO ACTION: An Urgent Request From Executive Director, Terry Ford
February 2nd, 2012
To all friends of East Dallas Community School, Lindsley Park Community School, and charter school teachers everywhere:
This is an urgent request. I’m asking for your assistance on behalf of all of our East Dallas and Lindsley Park Community School teachers and other charter school staff.
The IRS recently issued a Proposed Regulation titled “Determination of Government Plan Status.” This regulation would force states to prohibit charter school teachers and employees from participating in state retirement plans, including TRS. TRS is the retirement plan that covers all of our charter school teachers and employees.
This regulation would negatively impact nearly all charter school teachers in the country, including Texas charter school employees. If the Proposed Regulations are given effect, all charter school employees may be forced to either leave their charter schools or lose their accrued pension wealth. For this reason, we cannot allow these regulations to be adopted in their current form.
Here is what you can do:
1) Click on this link (or cut and paste the link into your browser)
http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/8975/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8396
With one click, this site allows you to email Secretary Geithner, Secretary Duncan and your state’s congressional delegation to alert them to this concern. THIS ACTION MUST BE TAKEN ON OR BEFORE THIS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH .
2) Please circulate this information widely (friends, family, anyone in your community or in the country who would be willing to register their concern)
For additional information, below is a link to an op-ed that the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools co-authored with the Fordham Institute published this past week: http://www.edexcellence.net/commentary/education-gadfly-daily/flypaper/2012/charter-school-teachers-would-be-hit-hard-by-new-treasury-department-ruling-on-pensions.htm
What could be more important than supporting these teachers and staff who are dedicating their lives to educating our children?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Terry N. Ford
Executive Director




