METCO students lobby lawmakers for funds

Yawu Miller

Tara Sisco had never lobbied a state representative before, but in her pep talk to the Swampscott METCO students who she shepherded through the State House halls, she sounded like a seasoned pro.

“Five million sounds like a lot, but it’s not,” she said. “We’re trying to get up to level funding so we can pay for all the services that need to be met.”

It helped that Sisco had Elaine Munn, a veteran Marblehead METCO director with her.

“Fellows, you have to take off your hats,” she announced. “And you have to take your wave cap off young man. You have to represent yourself and your school.”

Armed with marching orders to lobby state Sen. Thomas McGee and state Rep. Douglas Petersen, the teens were one of dozens of teams of students, parents and teachers who fanned out through to lobby their state representatives for a $5 million funding increase for METCO, a voluntary desegregation program that buses students from inner city schools to suburban districts.

“We’re hitting every legislative office,” said METCO’s lobbyist, Christine Glynn.

More than 400 people turned out for METCO’s annual lobbying day, infusing the State House with a whirlwind of youthful energy.

Marching to McGee’s office, several students broke into an impromptu rendition of pop star Chris Brown’s hit song “Thank You” before Sisco shushed them. At McGee’s office, they met with aide Jess Torres and made their pitch.

“We learn from their perspective,” one teen told Torres. “They learn from ours. METCO is there for all of us to get a better education.”

Next Sisco made her pitch.

“Right now, we’re really limited in our funding,” she said. “We don’t have enough funding for our children to participate in after-school activities.”

As Sisco explained, there is just one late bus that brings the METCO students home from Swampscott — and that bus only runs Monday through Thursday. The lack of steady transportation bars most Metco students from participating in after-school activities like plays or sports.

“We want to stay after school and participate in activities, but we can’t,” one student said.

“Senator McGee is a big fan of METCO,” Torres assured the students. “He’s part of the METCO Caucus and he’s working with the chairs of the METCO Caucus.”

McGee has signed onto a measure sponsored by state Rep. Shirley Owens-Hicks calling for a $5 million funding increase for the program.

The lobby day is the most visible effort METCO engages in at the State House. METCO Executive Director Jean McGuire said the event helps teach parents and students the importance of participation in the political system.

“The students learn something about the State House,” she said. “As Byron Rushing told them, ‘this is your House.’ I think it’s exciting to see people learning how to use power.”