WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC 4 News) Chanting “save our teachers” and “students have voices”; hundreds of students walked out of Jordan School District classes today. Amanda Bell from West Jordan High School says” we are leaving school, and giving up one day of education, so the future of education is better.”
The protest was organized with text messages that began last night after a legislative committee voted down a proposal that would have equalized funding between the Canyons and Jordan school districts, created by a split last year. The measure would have helped fill a 30-million dollar budget deficit faced by the Jordan School District.
Without the funding, the Jordan Board of Education’s budget stands. It calls for the loss of 250 teaching positions, and an increase in class sizes. Blake Kirpatrick, a Copper Hills High School student, says” we don’t think its right that our class sizes are being increased, or that five hundred faculty and staff are being laid off over something that could be resolved in other ways.” Kirpatrick also says watching teachers stress over the cuts has been difficult. “I have teachers who have cried in class talking about this topic and the situation, and what’s going on; and I think that it’s time that students are heard, and teachers are heard on this instead of the district just making decisions.”
Several hundred students let their voices be heard, and then headed back to class to finish out the school day. More than a hundred others arrived at the Jordan School District offices armed with “save our teacher” signs and a bull horn. The district offices were put in lock-down as students marched outside.
Melinda Colton, district spokeswoman, says she appreciates the sentiment but wishes students would have sent their message in a more constructive way. “We appreciate the passion. We appreciate that they love their teachers. I think students will get behind any cause that impacts them, and I think that’s a good thing, but I just think that their efforts are a little misdirected. I think the best way they can show passion for their teachers is to be sitting in class. They need to be in class. They need to allow their parents and their teachers to fight this battle because that’s where it really lies.”
There is word the next battle ground will be in the Senate, which is reportedly taking up the issue of equal funding. Students say they also plan to be at the Capitol tomorrow to send their message to those making school funding decisions. Tomorrow there is no school in the Jordan District. Students who missed class today will be marked with unexcused absences, which will have to be made up.
