Seattle teachers protest furlough days, budget cuts
SEATTLE -- Some Seattle teachers took to the streets Tuesday to demand fewer budget cuts and more time in the classroom.
Tuesday's half furlough day was the second for the Seattle School District, and many teachers used the time away from class to let parents and the community know they think students are getting short changed by the state.
"When you furlough teachers, what your'e doing is hurting the children who need to be in the classrooms learning," said teacher Judy Oerkvitz.
Tuesday's furlough was the result of state budget cuts, which axed nearly 2 percent from state funding for teacher salaries.
To make up for that, last year the Seattle School District and teacher's union agreed to these furlough days and other reductions.
Each furlough means no classes and no teacher pay.
Teachers say they understand the budget must be balanced, but they want the state to cut somewhere else and insist the state has a duty to its students.
"I love my job, it's like a religion for me and by God I'll fight tooth and nail for my students," said teacher India Carlson.
Teachers rallied in six different Seattle locations. In Sandpoint, teacher Kristin Bailey-Fogarty says there is no education fat left to cut.
"I've seen truancy officers lose their jobs, career counselors, office staff lose their jobs and I've seen class sizes get bigger," she said.
The State Supreme Court recently ruled the state has a constitutional obligation to "fully fund" basic education. Teachers hope lawmakers are listening.
"The legislature needs to make hard choices and take strong leadership to change our tax structure to make education fully funded," said Noam Gundle.
Educators are also in Olympia to testify in support of a House bill that would force districts to consider seniority and the effectiveness of teachers when considering layoffs. Right now those decisions are based soley on seniority.
Tuesday's half furlough day was the second for the Seattle School District, and many teachers used the time away from class to let parents and the community know they think students are getting short changed by the state.
"When you furlough teachers, what your'e doing is hurting the children who need to be in the classrooms learning," said teacher Judy Oerkvitz.
Tuesday's furlough was the result of state budget cuts, which axed nearly 2 percent from state funding for teacher salaries.
To make up for that, last year the Seattle School District and teacher's union agreed to these furlough days and other reductions.
Each furlough means no classes and no teacher pay.
Teachers say they understand the budget must be balanced, but they want the state to cut somewhere else and insist the state has a duty to its students.
"I love my job, it's like a religion for me and by God I'll fight tooth and nail for my students," said teacher India Carlson.
Teachers rallied in six different Seattle locations. In Sandpoint, teacher Kristin Bailey-Fogarty says there is no education fat left to cut.
"I've seen truancy officers lose their jobs, career counselors, office staff lose their jobs and I've seen class sizes get bigger," she said.
The State Supreme Court recently ruled the state has a constitutional obligation to "fully fund" basic education. Teachers hope lawmakers are listening.
"The legislature needs to make hard choices and take strong leadership to change our tax structure to make education fully funded," said Noam Gundle.
Educators are also in Olympia to testify in support of a House bill that would force districts to consider seniority and the effectiveness of teachers when considering layoffs. Right now those decisions are based soley on seniority.
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