Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/27719
planned by the school board. Later that same day, ignoring a mandate from parents and, in some cases, the recommendation of its own superintendent, the school board voted to give away four schools to outside operators, to reconstitute two existing “focus schools,” and to issue more than 7,000 pink slips to teachers and school personnel. “Today, politics won over ped- agogy. The parents’ voice has been silenced, and the true agen- da of the school board majority has been exposed,” said UTLA President A.J. Duffy. “The school board majority clearly was doing the bidding of the mayor and his billionaire allies who want to privatize public education.” porters stood up to show that we are ready and willing to take on the fight to rescind each and every one of these layoff notices,” said SDEA President Bill Freeman. “SDEA members know that when we stand united, we win. We know that through experience. This year is no different. If we fight together to protect each other and our stu- dents, we will win.” In solidarity with their fellow CTA members throughout the state, SDEA’s 8,000-plus mem- bers proudly wore red at their school sites on the March 15 Day of Action. New season of awareness events kicks off Energized from the impetus of the Day of Action’s kickoff of a new season of protests, CTA’s 325,000 members now move forward in the task of help- ing generate support for Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget — including a June special election to extend some current taxes. If the governor’s budget ABOVE: Some 1,200 San Diego Education Association members rallied before a school board meeting March 10 to protest the dis- trict’s plans to pink-slip over 1,000 teachers and education support professionals. San Diego Timing of a San Diego Uni- fied School District School Board meeting — held on Thurs- day, March 10 — necessitated that the San Diego Education Association’s advocacy around layoff notices take place a few days prior to the March 15 Day of Action, when some 1,200 members protested the board’s vote to slash more than 1,000 jobs in the district. “SDEA members and our sup- and tax extensions are not approved, schools could lose another $2.3 billion, the equivalent of $377 in cuts per student or more than $9,700 per classroom. If worst-case scenarios come true, the state legisla- tive analyst predicts the ad- ditional cuts could be as high as $4.6 billion, slashing nearly $19,500 from each of Califor- nia’s classrooms. BILL GUY Beverly Gonzalez, M.A. ’99 Santa Fe Elementary School 2011 California Teacher of the Year Earn your degree from a university known for excellence in education. Azusa Pacific has a reputation for consistently producing innovative and comprehensively prepared educators. Our graduates serve as teachers, counselors, coaches, and administrators throughout Southern California, and are known in their schools and districts as leaders in their field. Choose from more than 40 credential and degree options at APU, and join a 112-year legacy of commitment to excellence in education. Programs start five times throughout the year. Contact us today! www.apu.edu/explore/education (800) 825-5278 Azusa Pacific University SCHOOL OF EDUCATION WWW Find the resources you need to organize locally, including English and Spanish fliers for parents, at cta.org/march-15. 11031 AZUSA | HIGH DESERT | INLAND EMPIRE | LOS ANGELES | MURRIETA ORANGE COUNTY | SAN DIEGO | VENTURA COUNTY | ONLINE MARCH 2011 | www.cta.org 35