With the upcoming election nearing on November 8th, every American citizen who is eligible to vote is scrambling. Scrambling to: register to vote, check if they are registered, or are simply previewing how a ballot will look like. For Massachusetts residents, as well as the rest of the 49 other states, there are a number of questions that we must vote on. However, the most crucial question for MA residents is #2. According to BallotPedia.org, question #2 is regarding the authorization of expanding up to 12 charter schools per year by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Allow me to preface the reason why voting "No" is highly important to keep our public schools intact. On March 7, 2016 more than 1,000 public school students walked out in protest the then-proposed budget cuts. I was one of those students. Although I was a high school senior at the time, I thought about the other kids who would face these budget cuts. My mother has been an educator in the public school system for about 20 years, what about her I thought.

Local news outlets such as The Boston Globe wrote about all of us; how we marched to the Commons, then up Beacon Street past City Hall, then finally to Fanueil Hall. I have been in the public school system for six years, I would not be as successful as I am today without public schools.

If an individual were to vote "Yes" on question #2, their vote would fund $450 million to charter schools that would stay in public schools. Elementary public schools have gone through the ringer with these budget cuts that were proposed back in March. The site, www.saveourpublicschoolsma.com accurately gives insight on question #2 as well. The site was started by an organization of students, educators, parents, and of course families.

If an individual were to vote "No", their vote will allow the $450 million to stay funding public schools. This money would go toward music and art programs, foreign languages, and technology classes. Public school children will have the enrichment they need in order to succeed academically. I implore you to help the future of these children.

Remember to #KeepTheCap at the polls this November 8th.