Teachers say budget cuts hurt California's future

Tiffany Tuell

(Updated: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 12:50 PM)

Last Thursday, Mountain Area school teachers joined protesters across the state to send a message to the state capital: Budget cuts hurt.

Cathy Tompkins, Bass Lake Teachers' Association president, was among the group of 20 who braved the cold weather and snow to gather in front of Oakhurst Elementary School.

"The March 4 'National Day of Action' by teachers and parents is helping to heighten awareness of the havoc $17 billion in cuts in more than two years is wreaking on students and schools," Tompkins said. "Our class sizes are rising, many schools are having to cut vital programs and thousands of educators face more pink slips on March 15. California spends $2,400 less per student than the national average and ranks 46th in per-pupil funding on the state's budget."

Coarsegold Elementary School Principal Bob Rose said both Coarsegold and Rivergold Elementary principals and teachers wore black in protest of the budget cuts.

According to the California Teacher's Association, 16,000 educators were laid off last year because of the $17 billion in cuts, which has resulted in overcrowding of classrooms and a less than satisfactory educational environment. Art, music and physical education programs have been cut. The repercussions of the cuts are giving educators cause to worry about the future of the country.

"I'm here because the state needs to realize how important education is because if we lose education, we lose our future and the future of the state," said Elaine Brown, a sixth-grade teacher at Oak Creek Intermediate. "Our children are our future."

Bass Lake Superintendent Glenn Reid agreed that although budget cuts are necessary, it is hurting our nation's children. "I understand the state is in a financial crisis and schools will have to absorb their share of cuts but it is really impacting and hurting what we can do for our students."

Tompkins believes that educational cuts are the direct result of greed.

"Last year public schools and colleges were cut billions while the legislature gave big corporations and wealthy oil companies more than $2 million in tax breaks," Tompkins said. "That's not fair. It's time to close these corporate tax loopholes."

Tompkins said the day of action movement is urging people to call legislators at (888) 268-4334 to let them know they need to stop cutting education and repeal the corporate tax breaks.

"Quality public schools build stronger communities and we have joined together to say our children deserve better," she said. "Investing in public education is the best investment we can make in their future."

Details: www.cta.org or www.standupforschools.org.