Bipartisan Group of 19 Mayors Joins 29 Governors In Endorsing National School Choice Week, America’s Largest Education Reform Celebration

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--9 Democratic mayors, 9 Republican mayors and 1 non-partisan mayor are uniting together this week by celebrating National School Choice Week 2013, organizers announced today. The mayors have endorsed the bi-partisan education reform coalition by issuing proclamations in honor of National School Choice Week. The proclamations officially declare the week of Jan. 27 through Feb. 2 “School Choice Week” in their respective states.

“Clearly, Americans of all political and socio-economic backgrounds are deciding that they deserve educational options for their children.”

Prominent mayors who have endorsed National School Choice Week include Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. In addition, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton recently spoke in support of school choice at National School Choice Week’s 7,200-person kickoff celebration in Phoenix on Jan. 25.

“Such broad-based support from both parties is a testament to the unity of the school choice movement,” said National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella. “Clearly, Americans of all political and socio-economic backgrounds are deciding that they deserve educational options for their children.”

The 19 mayors who have signed proclamations include:

-- Tucson, Ariz., Mayor Jonathan Rothschild				-- North Las Vegas, Nev., Mayor Shari Buck
-- Gilbert, Ariz., Mayor John Lewis				-- Henderson, Nev., Mayor Andy Hafen
-- Laguna Niguel, Calif., Mayor Robert Ming				-- Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx
-- Sacramento, Calif., Mayor Kevin Johnson				-- Kannapolis, N.C., Mayor Robert Misenheimer
-- Denver, Colo., Mayor Michael Hancock				-- Greenville, N.C., Mayor Allen Thomas
-- St. Petersburg, Fla., Mayor Bill Foster				-- Apex, N.C., Mayor Keith Weatherly
-- Eagle City, Idaho, Mayor Jim Reynolds				-- Garner, N.C., Mayor Ronnie Williams
-- Idaho Falls, Idaho, Mayor Jared Fuhriman				-- Asheville, N.C., Mayor Terry Bellamy
-- Indianapolis, Ind., Mayor Greg Ballard				-- Rochester, N.Y., Mayor Thomas Richards
-- Santa Fe, N.M., Mayor David Coss

In its third year, National School Choice Week 2013’s 3,500 independently planned funded events span all 50 states. Supporters of National School Choice Week believe states must do more to expand access to challenging and motivating educational options, from high-performing public schools to public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, digital and online learning and homeschooling.

For more information on National School Choice Week, visit: http://www.schoolchoiceweek.com

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