Teachers rally for education funding
/Educators are calling for investments in public schools to improve student outcomes
Phil Eubanks and teachers from though out the Basin unite to rally for full funding of education. April 10, 2019 (Images by Brian Gailey / Klamath Falls News)
“I see some kids here and you guys are worth every minute that we put out here,” says Cori Swan, Oregon Education Association, Region 3 Vice President. “You deserve far better than what you have been getting.”
At the intersection of South Sixth and Austin Streets in Klamath Falls, one-hundred educators came together to rally for full funding for education from the State of Oregon.
They are calling for investments in public schools to improve student outcomes.
Specifically they believe in the importance of the quality education model, which includes: higher graduation rates, smaller class sizes, greater student engagement, culturally responsive teaching, meet the needs of undeserved students, safe and welcoming schools, more school days, more counselors, nurses and mental health specialists, plus more electives - art, music, physical education, STEM, and CTE.
“We are here because what we are really fighting for is $2 billion more to fund what is called the quality education model,” says Maureen Lundy. “This is something that has been on the books for twenty years, but never funded.”
Educators were joined by both parents and students holding signs saying - I stand with teachers, I stand with students, invest in students, #RedForEd, Where’s the funding?, more than the core, your children our future, my students deserve funding, among others.
The rally was held to inform the public about how the Govenror’s base education budget of $9.24 billion falls short on providing all these necessary items needed to provide a quality education.
To fully fund education, Oregon teachers need $11.04 billion.
“Our county has really particular needs for our students and we need that funding. So we can provide the services for our kids and help you in the classroom be as successful as you can be,” said Lundy.
“Music and all the other electives is one of the things we are fighting for. A lot of those electives have gone away due to the lack of funding. We are fighting to expand those programs and put them back in our schools,” says Lundy.
For more information on this rally, visit the Klamath-Lake Uniserv Council Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/OEAKLUC
