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Schools

Peninsula Teachers Rally at Millbrae BART

Teachers urge lawmakers not to cut education funding.

At least 100 Peninsula teachers and supporters rallied at the Millbrae BART station Friday before going on to San Francisco to urge lawmakers against an all-service-cuts budget.

The Friday rally caps a week of activities by the California Teachers Association (CTA) to heighten awareness in local communities about the ramifications of the state’s education funding cuts, said Tamara Gumina, Burlingame Education Association Chair of Negotiations.

Members focused on contacting legislators with concerns on Monday, educating parents and the community on Tuesday, showing appreciation for all the support that members get from the community on Wednesday and educating the public about issues of revenue on Thursday, said Gumina.

“Why does Sacramento have to have all those cell phones? Those cars? Why do my kids have to take a pay cut?” said Millbrae parent Jason Rogova.

Friday, CTA members came out to make some noise.

“This effort has been a week-long alert to our community that public education is at risk,” said Phyllis Harris, President of the San Mateo Elementary Teachers Association. “If the legislature insists on an all-service-cuts budget, we will be looking at a $3 to $4 billion budget reduction, in addition to what they’ve already cut.”

Those billions in cuts mean about another 20,000 teachers will be laid off state-wide, said Harris. “That’s why it’s called State of Emergency.”

Parents, meanwhile, were shocked to find out that some of their kids’ teachers were going to be forced to take furlough days, said Gumina.

“Depending on which school you’re with, they’re either going to have more kids in the classroom or there are going to be less days in the classroom,” said Valerie Abbey, a teacher at Horrall Elementary School in San Mateo.

Supporters were expected to be coming from throughout the Peninsula by Caltrain to gather at Millbrae BART before continuing on to the San Francisco Civic Center where hundreds of supporters were expected for rallies to pressure lawmakers to pass a state budget that would include tax extensions—staving off the need for further education funding cuts.

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