School lobbying advice on Canton meeting agenda

CANTON - Parents and students will get advice tonight about how to lobby state lawmakers before they head down to Albany seeking more state funding for the north country’s cash-strapped public schools.

Chad M. Radock, deputy campaign manager with Alliance For Quality Education, is scheduled to give a presentation 6:30 p.m. tonight at Canton Central School’s high school auditorium, 99 State St.

The meeting was set up by School Equity Advocacy, a grassroots group of parents and students from Canton, Potsdam, Madrid-Waddington and other St. Lawrence County school districts who have banded together to fight funding cuts that could force their districts to slash jobs, sports and other programs next school year.

Tedra L. Cobb, the group’s facilitator, said Mr. Radock will advise the group about how to lobby state legislators when they’re in Albany on Feb. 29 and offer advice about effective phone call techniques. Several busloads of students and chaperones have signed up to make the trip to the state capital.

“He’s going to go over advocacy etiquette kinds of things, what to do and what not to do,” Ms. Cobb said. “It’s a good idea for them to learn how to best communicate with legislators.”

Advocacy efforts picked up steam during a meeting last week that drew about 200 people to Canton Central. An online petition drive launched by the Canton High School parents group has collected about 300 signatures.

It can be accessed at www.cantoncentralsavetomorrow.com.

The website was set up with the assistance of Canton Economic Development Director Linda M. McQuinn, who plans to attend the Albany lobbying trip.

A petition drive is also under way by parents who have volunteered to staff booths at sporting events and other events.

So far about 175 people have signed.

Bright yellow T-shirts inscribed with SOS — save our school — are supposed to be available at tonight’s meeting for $5.50 each.

Elizabeth J. Gallup, a Canton parent group member, said the growing number of supporters concerned about possible cuts to Canton and other school districts is a positive sign.

“We have the multiplier effect going,” Mrs. Gallup said. “Things are definitely moving along. I guess we have to keep our fingers crossed and keep on working.”