While the evening was cold, the spirits were hot! A coalition of parents, teachers and community members gathered outside the government complex to fight for our kids. Guest speakers included a former school board member, the former VEA president and the presidents of the county's PTA and NAACP. Unity for a common cause. They all spoke of creating revenue, not creating cuts.
The most stirring speaker, however, was an instructional assistant from an elementary school. She spoke of the many duties she has in her position: working with students in reading groups, supervising breakfast and lunch duties, and, of course, completing numerous clerical tasks. All this for a salary of $14,000 (this is before our 3% pay cut next year). She is a single mother with two daughters.
Why is it that we, who have invested in quality public education, have to stand out in the cold to voice our concerns, while Wall St. gets to sit in their corner offices and get what they want? I wish someone has an answer....
Until next time....rally away!!
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