Cascade backers rally for students

ALL FIRED UP: Teachers, administrators, and parents participate in the “Day for Students” held statewide on March 3 to help gain support for education and to show government officials that the public is tired of the budget cuts.

About 50 teachers, administrators, retired teachers and parents gathered at 7:15 a.m. in front of Meadow Lane School in Anderson on March 3 for "Day for Students" in support of stopping the budget cuts and getting education funding back on track.

"We just feel bad for the students," said Kathleen Haagenson, a teacher at Verde Vale. She added that state budgets cuts would limit districts from offering library time to students, increase class sizes, reduce the number of field trips available and cut programs like music.

According to a Shasta County Education Coalition flyer, California has cut more than $17 billion from its public schools and colleges. Another $2.5 billion will be cut from the budget this year, the same flyer states.

According to the flyer and using information from the California Teacher Association, University of California students will pay 10 percent more. However, a press release from U.C. President Mark G. Yudof suggested his students will actually pay 32 percent higher fees.

According to a press release from Charles B. Reed, a CSU Chancellor, there will be a 10 percent increase in fees in the CSU system, which is different from the 32 percent figure that the CTA flyer is reporting.

The problem every district is facing isn't just cuts to the budget though, its also declining enrollment. Districts, like Cottonwood, are trying to find ways to recapture students who have left the district. Losing students affects the districts' Average Daily Attendance revenues and can cost districts thousands of dollars.

A declining work force means a smaller tax base from which to draw money. That results in less funding for social programs and education. According to the EDD, California's unemployment rate is at 12.4 percent.