Hundreds of Teachers to Rally in Deer Valley and Mesa

All across the state of Arizona teachers, support staff, and administrators alike are fearful of loosing their jobs. With more than 7,400 on notice that their jobs will be eliminated if the legislature follows through with massive cuts to education, teachers and other school staff are rallying to save jobs.

This afternoon in Deer Valley folks will gather outside the DVUSD district office to demonstrate contempt for actions they are calling disrespectful. According to those in the district teachers are being let go with privately contracted employees are keeping their jobs, professional growth pay, thousands of dollars promised to teachers, is being withheld, and long-term teachers are being required to re-apply for positions they've held for years.

After scratching the surface just a bit, it becomes clear that the Governing Board President, Tom Boone (R-LD4), is at the heart of this debacle. As a state legislator Boone is positioned well to advocate for no cuts to education protecting district employees from job loss, loss in pay, and other disrespectful acts to their profession. Clearly his conservative idealism is getting in the way.

Across the universe in Mesa, public school employees are holding a vigil for RIFed employees. A vigil for RIFed employees, I had to say it again. Mesa employees enjoy some of the strongest benefits among teachers in the state. But now, with the state legislature attempting to slash nearly 20% of their budget their jobs are at risk.

Over the next few weeks many school employees, parents, and students will be out in mass to protest massive cuts to public schools. Learn more by visiting March4Schools.