PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING

WHEREAS, the current federal budget expects to generate a surplus of funds due to an expanding economy; and

WHEREAS, Congress has an unprecedented opportunity to fund needed social programs; and

WHEREAS, current federal programs such as Head Start and Title I serve only a fraction of those eligible to enroll in these programs; and

WHEREAS, plans put forward by President Clinton to hire teachers and to repair and build schools will require significant increases in federal spending; and

WHEREAS, urban and rural public schools are in an advanced state of crisis, making recruitment of teachers difficult and educational opportunities for students more limited; and

WHEREAS, 50 percent of the current discretionary budget is being spent on the military budget; and

WHEREAS, funding of social programs such as public education creates many more jobs at union wages than does military spending; and

WHEREAS, the Arms Trade Resource Center indicates that "a consensus among experts exists across the political spectrum that military spending can be reduced (at the very minimum) by 15 percent to reflect the end of the Cold War":

RESOLVED, that the AFT call on Congress to use the strengthened financial resources of the United States to develop a "Marshall Plan" for public education within the country, making available massive financial assistance to guarantee quality education for all students; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT call on Congress to meet its obligations to the people of the country by fully funding social programs including public education and suspending any plans to increase the military budget until social programs are adequately funded.