from Daily Kos: What a senior sales rep for Scholastic says:

[Coexist]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/9/7/83625/00494
takeback's diary:

My cousin is a senior sales rep at Scholastic in a major state in the northeast. He's been with the company for about 10 years, and like all Scholastic sales reps he makes a big part of his income in the form of bonuses for selling (and re-selling) text books and related materials to school districts for use in particular subjects in particular grade levels. A typical sale is of all reading materials for all eighth graders for three years to a school district in some particular town. These sales are big--often in the millions of dollars--and making just a few of them per year is what provides my relative an income. But the sales can be hard to earn, in part because--in the view of my cousin--it isn't just consideration of the textbooks themselves that determines what a school district will buy. Personality comes into play a lot of the time and, yes, even politics, and so sales reps must do everything in their power to make sure that sales go through.

My cousin indicated that a few sales people already have started to get a whiff that their incomes may be in jeopardy because people like us are contacting school districts (many of which are dominated by Democratic-voting teachers) telling them not to buy Scholastic books--and they are VERY concerned.

<snip>

My cousin says that the best way to force Scholastic to withdraw from the ABC partnership is to contact school districts, especially big public districts in major cities, promising to oppose all Scholastic purchases for years if the company does not agree to pull out of the ABC deal, and to tell Scholastic what we are doing.

<snip>
UPDATE 9/7/06 9:35 EST: I just got off a phone call with my cousin, who says he has spoken to 3 other sales reps this morning, all of whom are very concerned to hear about this controversy. It's clear that the specific thing that has grabbed all of their attentions is the notion of thousands of people urging school boards and school districts not to buy Scholastic books. Phone calls and emails to Scholastic directly are probably useful, but to emphasize: what the Scholastic people themselves fear right now are calls and emails to their customers. I suggest that we contact the school districts and copy Scholastic higher-ups.

[myrna minx]

1. This is an excellent idea.

This could be very effective.

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Good

Keep up the pressure.

Scholastic is good organization and doubt if they realized what they were getting into. They need to disassociate themselves from this project as soon as possible.

[Dems Will Win]

3. Emailm the NYC Chancellor Yourself!!!!

http://schools.nyc.gov/webforms/chancellormessage.aspx

[TheFriedPiper]

4. K&R

[Vincardog]

5. Got Scholastic's email?

[Horse with no Name]

6. Hey Vince

[e-mail]

[Vincardog]

20. Thanks

[Coexist]

7. [e-mail] - also:

Phone: [phone]
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012

Richard Robinson, CEO
Email: [e-mail]

Jeffrey Mathews, Vice President, Investor Relations, or Tonia Bellamy
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Corporate Communications: 212-343-4563
[e-mail]

Customer Service:
Phone: [phone] (toll-free)
M-F, 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and Sat., 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, CST

[mnhtnbb]

14. Just sent the following letter to all above officials

Dear Scholastic officials:

I am writing to tell you that I have contacted the Principal, Chair of Social Studies, and US History teacher of my son's high school (Chapel Hill High, Chapel Hill, NC) to suggest to them that they not use the materials provided by Scholastic in support of ABC's
so-called "docudrama". It has come to my attention that this miniseries is not based upon fact, but rather pushes an agenda intended to blame President Clinton for 9/11. Indeed,
ABC was so fearful that truth might be told, that they have declined to make a preview copy of the series available to President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, while making one available to the right-wing radio personality, Rush Limbaugh.

I have two sons. We have appreciated materials provided by Scholastic for many years.
However, I will be among the first to urge our schools boycott Scholastic if you do not disassociate yourselves from this ABC project at once.

The people of this country do not need propaganda fed to them under the guise of "based on fact" prior to an election. We do not want our children fed lies in the pretense of education, either. Shame on Scholastic for allowing yourselves to be used in this manner.

Sincerely,

[Canuckistanian]

19. That's an excellent letter

Just the facts and lots of passion and concern expressed with courtesy.

:thumbsup:

[Nabia2004]

9. Kick - a must read - nt

[Cobalt Violet]

15. K & R.

[biscotti]

8. I wrote them last night

I told them I was appalled that they were connected to this. I have only gotten an automatic response so far.

[mnhtnbb]

10. I e-mailed the Principal, Chair of Social Studies, US History teacher

at my son's high school last night urging them not to use the materials
provided by Scholastic.

I will contact the Scholastic addresses now and tell them.

[kurth]

11. Please take 2 minutes to give your school board a call

Simply tell them you don't approve of the partnership between Scholastic and ABC to spread this election-year propaganda in schools, and your tax money shouldn't be used to make purchases from Scholastic.

[whatelseisnew]

12. k&r

[acmejack]

13. With the greatest of pleasure!

[carolinayellowdog]

16. As a public librarian

I wrote to Scholastic's president and VP urging them to avoid permanent damage to their company's sterling reputation by pulling out of the partnership with ABC/Disney. Made the usual points about partisanship and inaccuracy, and commented that I've been doing business with their company for almost thirty years-- and LIKE MOST LIBRARIANS, am a Democrat.

[renate]

21. I love you!

Both for your letter and for your being a librarian!

School librarians could also have a HUGE impact on Scholastic's sales.

[leveymg]

17. Here's my e-mail to Scholastic, Cc: ABC

Subject: Fairfax Co. VA Schools - Scholastic's Involvement with ABC 9/11 Miniseries
Date: 9/7/2006 11:00:29 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: XXXXXX
Reply To:
To: [e-mail]
CC: [e-mail] ; [e-mail] ; [e-mail]

Richard Robinson
CEO
Scholastic Publications

Dear Mr. Robinson:

This is to notify you that unless Scholastic severs its relationship with the ABC mini-series, "The Path to 9/11", it is my intention to organize the XXXXXXX County PTA in a permanent boycott of Scholastic products. With 144,000 students, XXXXXX County, XXXXXXX is one of the largest school systems in the mid-Atlantic region.

According to the NYT, a number of highly-placed former officials within the Clinton Administration have found the mini-series to have serious factual errors. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/07/washington/07path.htm... The mini-series appears to be a partisan, inaccurate and libelous attack on Democrats.

As the Vice President of the PTA in a XXXXXX County school, I feel that I have an obligation to my child and to other students throughout the County and the State of XXXXXX to do what I can to prevent a politically-biased and inaccurate account of the 9/11 tragedy from reaching children.

Please also be aware that I am also active within the local Democratic Committee, XXXXXX County being a predominantly Democratic area, and intend to carry this message to others through the Party.

I strongly advise you to immediately announce a halt to distribution of the offending product.

Sincerely yours,

[Atman]

18. Excellent letter!

Very professional and to the point. It should have some real impact...I hope.

[Nikki Stone 1]

24. This is a great letter!

And I thrilled to hear that all of the actions are having some effect.

[donco6]

22. What a shame, too.

I've always loved Scholastic. They're easy to work with, provide a lot of good titles and their prices are great. But it will cause me too look around at other places I've not really considered before.

[file83]

23. Kick Scholastic right where it hurts!!!

How dare they act with such negligence on such an important issue. Ignorance is no excuse for their involvment in this development.

[clmbohdem]

25. K&R