Ride for a Reason 2011: California Public Schools
Ride for a Reason is a bike ride to the State Capitol to draw attention to the crisis in funding for public schools in California, and to raise badly needed funds for enrichment programs back here in Oakland. Last year, 40 riders participated and raised $8,500 each for Claremont Middle School and Oakland Tech. This year, our goals are to have 100 riders and raise $15,000 each for Claremont and Tech. Over the past three years. state funding to schools has been reduced about 20 percent. California now ranks 46th in per pupil spending, and last in student-to-teacher ratio. Next year, schools in Oakland expect to have their funding cut by 7-to-17 percent.
The ride will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2011. We are now recruiting riders. There are 60- and 100-mile options to Sacramento. We will return via the Capitol Corridor train, and in cars driven up by supporters. The event is fully supported. All riders are encouraged to raise $200-or-more in pledges to help us achieve our fundraising goal. To register, please go to: http://rideforareason.dojiggy.com. For more information, please contact Mike Napolitano at 655-4725, or by email at mnapolitano@waterboards.ca.gov . Thanks for your consideration and support. Together we will make a difference.