Students, Parents, And Teachers Protest Education Funding Cuts

CATHEDRAL CITY – Several students at Cathedral City High School woke up extra early on Thursday to stand up for their teachers.They stoodat the driveway entrance to the school chanting “No more cuts! Save our schools!”

Eleventh grade student Jenny Olea said, “I care about my teachers a lot because they’re the ones giving us an education and without them, where would we be?”

The demonstration took place before school began so that educators and their supporters could hand out flyers to parents as they dropped off their kids.

Theirmission: To garner support for public schools within the Palm Springs Unified School District and throughout the state as they deal with another round of budget cuts and potential layoffs.

“Iheard that law enforcement and prisons got increases in this budget, but we got cuts,” said Dana Sessions, anEnglish teacher. “Why don’t we have the money on this end instead of that back end?”

According to the Palm Springs Teachers Association more than $17 billion in cuts have been made already to education and that students are paying the price.

Some parents agree. “This is really important so that people know education is the first thing, That is what makes the United States #1 in education!”

Last year Palm Springs Unifiedlaid off more than two dozen people. This year layoffs are inevitable. Some teachers cannot believe they actually have to keep fighting fortheir jobs.

“Every time it’s a shock, and it’s hurtful,” says Sessions.

The school has not revealed how many pink slips will be handed out this year. News Channel 3 may know that number as early as Friday when the agenda for the school board meeting is publicized.

The school board meets Tuesday night.