As
many as 50 local teachers and school officials gathered in front of McDonald’s
in Martell on Wednesday to voice their opposition to another round of state
cuts in education. “The issue isn’t between teachers and the school board, it’s
between education and the government,” said Dennis Friis, a teacher at Amador High
School. “The rally, which is supported by the Amador County
UnifiedSchool
District, was planned to coincide with the State
recognized “Day of the teacher”. “We’ve been so concerned with cutting taxes
and the economy that we need to support the things that society needs,” said
Friis. The impetus for the rally came from David Sanchez, President of the California teachers
Association. In past years, Sanchez had submitted generalized declarations to
fight budget cuts, but this year he personally called each district to organize
a rally cry of its own. “People either pay up front for education or pay
ten-fold when we encounter the end result,” said Lynn Vasques, a 6th
grade teacher in Pioneer and the organizer of the rally. Different teachers
have proposed different solutions as to how to solve the cuts in education.
According to Vasques, it could be a 1% sales tax hike or reinstating vehicle
registration fees. Whatever the outcome, local school officials are keeping a
close eye on the latest round of state budget adjustment decisions.
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