Thousands rally at Capitol to protest education cuts
By Andrew Kaspar Updated: 9:11 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2011
Published: 8:49 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thousands of parents, teachers and other education advocates poured onto the Capitol grounds Saturday to rally against proposed state budget cuts that school districts say could force layoffs of thousands of teachers and other public education employees.
Demonstrators sprawled across the statehouse grounds, carrying signs scrawled with "Save Our Schools" and "Fund the Future."
Others carried umbrellas to underscore their desire that lawmakers tap into the state's rainy day fund to help balance the budget.
"We hope that being here will make a difference," said Nicollette Anthony, a 17-year-old from San Antonio. "But even if it doesn't, they'll know we tried."
Organizers handed out stickers to attendees as a means of counting the crowd and said they ran out of the 11,000 stickers they had on hand. A law enforcement officer on duty said that number seemed high, estimating that between 8,000 and 9,000 demonstrators were present.
San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro , whose twin brother Joaquin is a Democratic state representative, talked about the impact of education cuts on the state's future.
"We have more people coming to Texas from all over the nation than ever before," Castro said. "What that means is that we have a choice to make: We can choose to invest in the future or choose to close our eyes and make bad decisions. I choose to invest in the future."
Current state budget proposals would leave public education more than $9 billion short of the funding required under current law. Under the proposals, about 100,000 public school employees could be laid off, according to the Center for Public Policy Priorities.
On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry made headlines when he said that local school districts — and not state leaders — would ultimately be responsible for impending teacher layoffs, class size increases and reduced course offerings.
Save Texas Schools, a coalition of education advocates that spearheaded Saturday's rally, urged lawmakers to use the state's rainy day fund, estimated at more than $9 billion. They also called for an end to the partisan standoff that has prevented Texas from receiving about $830 million in federal money for teachers, and demanded that the Legislature revisit the way public schools are funded.
Current policies have resulted in a structural deficit that will continue to leave schools billions of dollars short of the money they need, said Allen Weeks , chairman of the coalition's steering committee.
Save Texas Schools organizers said 43 legislators attended or sent staffers to the event.
Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, said the protests might force some introspection for lawmakers who saw last November's elections as a mandate to cut budgets.
"They think the voters are unequivocal, that we need to solve the budget shortfall by cutting spending," said Strama, a member of the House Public Education Committee. "The only way to get them not thinking about the last election but the next election — the one that matters — is to have big numbers of people show up and demand that we invest in education, and that's what this rally is accomplishing."
Children, those perhaps most directly affected by the proposed education cuts, attended and held signs alongside parents on a sunny afternoon. As temperatures rose, two fountains were transformed into pools that provided cooling relief for the younger crowd.
Organizers — primarily Austin-area parents and education advocates — began planning for the rally in early February. They expected participants from more than 300 school districts across the state.
Perry said districts facing reduced funding from the state should reassess the roles of their nonteaching personnel, a notion to which Penny Walls, a teacher from Bay City, took exception.
"He needs to come and teach, and do it without the staff, without the textbooks, without the funding," she said. "And then tell us how to get it done."
Additional material from staff writer Joshunda Sanders
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Published: 8:49 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thousands of parents, teachers and other education advocates poured onto the Capitol grounds Saturday to rally against proposed state budget cuts that school districts say could force layoffs of thousands of teachers and other public education employees.
Demonstrators sprawled across the statehouse grounds, carrying signs scrawled with "Save Our Schools" and "Fund the Future."
Others carried umbrellas to underscore their desire that lawmakers tap into the state's rainy day fund to help balance the budget.
"We hope that being here will make a difference," said Nicollette Anthony, a 17-year-old from San Antonio. "But even if it doesn't, they'll know we tried."
Organizers handed out stickers to attendees as a means of counting the crowd and said they ran out of the 11,000 stickers they had on hand. A law enforcement officer on duty said that number seemed high, estimating that between 8,000 and 9,000 demonstrators were present.
San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro , whose twin brother Joaquin is a Democratic state representative, talked about the impact of education cuts on the state's future.
"We have more people coming to Texas from all over the nation than ever before," Castro said. "What that means is that we have a choice to make: We can choose to invest in the future or choose to close our eyes and make bad decisions. I choose to invest in the future."
Current state budget proposals would leave public education more than $9 billion short of the funding required under current law. Under the proposals, about 100,000 public school employees could be laid off, according to the Center for Public Policy Priorities.
On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Perry made headlines when he said that local school districts — and not state leaders — would ultimately be responsible for impending teacher layoffs, class size increases and reduced course offerings.
Save Texas Schools, a coalition of education advocates that spearheaded Saturday's rally, urged lawmakers to use the state's rainy day fund, estimated at more than $9 billion. They also called for an end to the partisan standoff that has prevented Texas from receiving about $830 million in federal money for teachers, and demanded that the Legislature revisit the way public schools are funded.
Current policies have resulted in a structural deficit that will continue to leave schools billions of dollars short of the money they need, said Allen Weeks , chairman of the coalition's steering committee.
Save Texas Schools organizers said 43 legislators attended or sent staffers to the event.
Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, said the protests might force some introspection for lawmakers who saw last November's elections as a mandate to cut budgets.
"They think the voters are unequivocal, that we need to solve the budget shortfall by cutting spending," said Strama, a member of the House Public Education Committee. "The only way to get them not thinking about the last election but the next election — the one that matters — is to have big numbers of people show up and demand that we invest in education, and that's what this rally is accomplishing."
Children, those perhaps most directly affected by the proposed education cuts, attended and held signs alongside parents on a sunny afternoon. As temperatures rose, two fountains were transformed into pools that provided cooling relief for the younger crowd.
Organizers — primarily Austin-area parents and education advocates — began planning for the rally in early February. They expected participants from more than 300 school districts across the state.
Perry said districts facing reduced funding from the state should reassess the roles of their nonteaching personnel, a notion to which Penny Walls, a teacher from Bay City, took exception.
"He needs to come and teach, and do it without the staff, without the textbooks, without the funding," she said. "And then tell us how to get it done."
Additional material from staff writer Joshunda Sanders
The entire article is necessary for the world, our nation, and right here at home, in the state of Texas. Our Governor Rick Perry, believes that it's okay for our future of educators can be spared and class offerings can be reduced and still our state can thrive. Where did this come from? How can we make it without educators? That is who got Governor Perry where he is today. Someone educated him. How can we allow something that will affect everyone take part? As a country, as a unifed front, we should be doing more to stop this disaster. This means over 100,000 jobs lost and 9 billion dollars short. Just as someone argued, more people are coming to texas, we can afford and invest in the future and that's what we need to choose to do. I agree with this argument whole heartedly,
"He needs to come and teach, and do it without the staff, without the textbooks, without the funding," she said. "And then tell us how to get it done." This is what our officials are saying will help our future.
"He needs to come and teach, and do it without the staff, without the textbooks, without the funding," she said. "And then tell us how to get it done." This is what our officials are saying will help our future.
