Dear Governor Newsom
June 12, 2020
Dear Governor Newsom,
On behalf of the officers and directors of the California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO), I write to offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the inclusion of private schools and early education programs in the state’s distribution of personal protective equipment. I would also like to personally commend Ben Chida for his leadership role in fulfilling your desire to see that our state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is truly inclusive.
We regard private schools as “partners in the education of the public.” If California’s K-12 private schools were to comprise a single school district, it would easily be the second largest in the state. It would also easily employ more fulltime teachers (nearly 42,000) than any other district.
Protecting the health and safety of students and staff is a functional prerequisite for all schools, whether public or private. At a time when private schools are reeling from the devastating economic consequences attendant to the pandemic, your willingness to ensure that every school in the state has access to the basic supply of PPE required to resume onsite instruction is very deeply appreciated. That you undertook such action at a time when you face a daunting budget “problem” makes your truly inclusive policy all the more praiseworthy.
Thank you, again, for your leadership, concern, and spirit of inclusiveness. We wish you continued health, vigor, success, and fulfillment.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ron Reynolds
Executive Director
California Association of Private School Organizations
