Document text
CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 21, 2003 Rogue Valley teachers, students join rally for education support Local teachers say they want less talk and more action from legislators By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — Several thousand sign-carrying teachers, including five busloads from the Rogue Valley, rallied Monday on the steps of the state Capitol urging stable funding for education. Despite temperatures in the 40s, participants responded enthusiastically to speakers who urged them to make their concerns known. By far, the most frequent chant was "stable funding now." Among those addressing teachers and students from around the state were Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo and Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem. Police blocked the street in front of the Capitol as the participants spilled down the steps and into the mall. Most estimates put the crowd at around 2,000. The rally was sponsored by the Oregon Education Association, which distributed decals saying "Step Up Now" for people to wear. Several dogs also sported the decals, slapped on their backs or heads by their owners. Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a school holiday. Kulongoski praised the "tremendous job teachers do for the community in educating young people." "You are at the top of what’s right about Oregon, and I am grateful to you," he said. The governor said the crucial test comes on Jan. 28, when voters decide whether to approve a temporary income tax increase on residents. The tax would raise an estimated $725 million over three years to help shore up schools and ease cuts in public safety and human services. "If Measure 28 passes, that will be a very clear message people do care about education and the future of Oregon," Kulongoski said. Despite his budget proposal to freeze teachers’ salaries during the next biennium, the governor received a warm welcome from rally participants. "You are on the front line," Castillo told the crowd. "We (elected officials) are creating problems if we don’t give you the tools to help a child succeed." The Southern Oregon delegation included teachers and students from Medford, Ashland, Central Point, Eagle Point and Phoenix-Talent school districts in Jackson County and from Grants Pass. Several teachers said they hoped the rally will convince the Legislature that the situation at the local level is at the crisis stage. "I have been teaching for 15 years, but this is by far the worst I have seen it as far as our funding is concerned," said Sarah Challman, a Central Point Elementary School teacher. "We’re at the breaking point," she said. Tim Brown, who teaches and coaches at Ashland High School, said resources for schools have been declining for the past 10 to 12 years. "We’re in the basement now," he said. "Our legislators have to step up to the plate," he said. "But so far, it’s been a lot of talk and no action." Orville Leao Jr., president of the Medford Education Association, said if Measure 28 fails, the district may be forced to cut 10 days from the school year. "Our kids don’t need 10 days off," he said. Leao said Kulongoski is in a position to "do some good. He knows what has to be done." However, Leao said he was concerned about possible cuts in Public Employees Retirement System benefits. Leao has taught at Hedrick Middle School in Medford for 27 years. Don Jepsen is a free-lance writer living in Salem. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S