Students and educators from all over the state are marched and held rallies to let law makers know that cutting the educational budget is the wrong thing to do.
In Fresno, a large group gathered on the campus of Fresno State while similar events were happening at colleges and universities around California.
The rally at Fresno State was preceded by a march of about 100 students from Shaw & Blackstone Avenues to the college campus. The students carried signs and chanted “Save Our Schools” along the way.
Teachers and administrators are upset with the state slashing $17 billion from the education system last year, which has led to less teachers and larger class sizes.
Fresno Teachers Association President Greg Gadams said, “An intelligent, well-educated, enterprising workforce is what will pull America out of its economic doldrums. All politicians campaign on the promise of making schools better but then they abandon that commitment until it is re-election time.”
Fresno Unified Superintendant Michael Hanson said, “If we’re not doing all that we can to reorient out community and frankly our state’s priorities around youth, we have completely missed the boat and I think we as adults will be the generation responsible for the failures of the future.”
Students at the rally argued the federal government spends too much on the war in Iraq and the state spends too much on prisoners. They also say that even if you didn’t participate in the day’s events, you can help by contacting your state legislators to tell them education needs to be protected.
