Documentary

We hear it from politicians and pundits: our schools are failing. They blame teachers, unions, and public schools in general. Competition, they say, is the answer and so public school money is put into the hands of corporations to form and run charter schools.

But does it work?

Backpack Full of Cash offers a painful look at the impact on traditional schools when funding is diverted for privately run schools. A free public screening will be held on Saturday, September 15, at 1:30 p.m., at Niles Discovery Church, 36600 Niles Blvd., Fremont. The screening will be followed by a discussion.

Narrated by Matt Damon, the film offers a timely warning about America’s public schools, which have fallen into a growing, greedy, and under-regulated system of privatization that is having a devastating impact on our children. Though it focuses primarily on schools in Philadelphia and New Orleans, it’s a must-see for Californians to fully comprehend where the state may be headed soon if the pro-charter movement is not held accountable.

The screening is part of the Second Saturday Documentary Series and this screening is being co-sponsored by the Fremont Unified District Teachers Association. The Series is deviating from its name-sake schedule and screening this film on the third Saturday of the month because of the massive climate march taking place in San Francisco on September 8. People can learn more about this climate action (supported by the Second Saturday Documentary Series) at ca.riseforclimate.org.

The Second Saturday Documentary Series is co-sponsored by Niles Discovery Church and the San Jose Peace and Justice Center. Learn more about the series at http://bit.ly/nilesssds.