LAKE COUNTY ? State cuts of $11.6 billion to K-12 schools is spurring a statewide rally to raise awareness about how the cuts will affect students.
Lake County schools are joining in the effort this week in a rally planned in downtown Lakeport on what is being called “Pink Friday.” Slated to take place at 4 p.m. in front of the Lake County Museum on Friday, the rally is happening on the last day termination notices, or “pink slips,” can be sent to teachers who are being cut from next school year”s payroll.
“Children in school now are in danger of not receiving the kind of education they will really need to be all they can be in the future. The cuts are coming so deeply that it”s not just the extra things that are being cut; it”s really the meat of the programs, and the people who are delivering them, that are being cut,” said Pam Klier, president of the Lakeport chapter of the California Teachers Association (CTA).
Klier, who has helped coordinate involvement in the rally, said Lake County is adding its voice to a statewide CTA effort to raise awareness about the effects of state cuts to education. She said Lake County Superintendent Dave Geck is expected to speak, and the group is hoping Congressman Mike Thompson will also speak.
Klier said while the numbers aren”t yet in for each of Lake County”s school districts, employees from the Upper Lake, Kelseyville and Lakeport school districts are expected to attend the rally on Friday.
“This is our education at stake and we believe we should have a say in the matter,” Clear Lake High School student Megan Griffith said.
Griffith said students at the Lakeport high school are planning to attend the rally, becoming the second group of students to show public concern. Students at Kelseyville High School walked off of campus on Feb. 27 at lunchtime to protest anticipated cuts.
Kelseyville Unified School District Superintendent Boyce McClain said four teachers are retiring, and the district plans to leave those positions empty next year.
The Lakeport Unified School District Board of Directors voted Thursday to cut 17 positions from next school year”s payroll. Four of those positions are teachers, according to Klier.
“We would like to commend Lakeport for being very specific. They have done the planning and done the work to decide where the notices need to go. It”s not comfortable, but we know it just needs to be done,” Klier said.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
