Text: May 21, 2015Governor Mark Dayton116 Veterans Service Building20 W 12th StreetSt. Paul, MN 55155Dear Governor Dayton,Thank you for your vocal support of education in Minnesota. As teachers with many decades ofexperience teaching in public schools, we share your passion for educating Minnesota students,and ensuring a world-class education for students in every ZIP code across the state.You speak of a desire to implement real reforms in helping to close the achievement gap-weagree, and want to be partners rather than adversaries in this effort. The bill you are intent onvetoing earned overwhelming bipartisan support, with 123 legislators from both parties voting insupport and just 73 voting in opposition. It provides more than a $205 average increase per pupilstatewide for every student in every classroom and more than $60 million in new funding forproven early learning initiatives, including early education scholarships and school pre-Kaid.Our differences in opinion on this issue are rooted not in hatred for public schools, as yourecently stated, but rather a goal to target our resources effectively to ensure we are lifting up thechildren who need the most help on their path to educational achievement.We respectfully request a meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss this important issue aswe try to resolve our differences. We wish to share with you our perspective as teachers, parentsof public school children, and yes, Republicans, on education and how we can best ensure futuresuccess for every Minnesota student.