Story Published: Nov 28, 2011 at 11:28 PM PDT
Story Updated: Nov 29, 2011 at 12:57 PM PDT
Local union members rallying against education cuts.
Drivers in passing cars honked and waved, showing their support to Clarkston teachers holding signs like "Cuts Hurt Kids" and "Support Education."
Members from Clarkston Education Association, Clarkston Classified Association and IOUE Clarkston Maintenance Union are rallying against a proposed budget cut on Washington's education. A cut they say will greatly impact the future of their children.
"It makes a difference that you have a teacher, a small classroom, instructional assistance so we can continue the individual quality instruction that are needed for these students because they really are our future," said Karle Warren, a retired school teacher.
Last week, Governor Christine Gregoire proposed $1.7 billion in cuts to the Washington state goverment.
Monday is the start of the governor's special session that will look into cuts in education, which could be as high as $2 billion.
"There's no reason why we should ever cut, if anything we should be looking at what these kids mean and what these folks do for kids and not just kids of generations now but of generations of my child coming up and her children, we have to look out for the entire future," said Robert Hagan, a paraprofessional at the Clarkston School District.
Besides teachers and union members, there are firefighters, postal workers and even Clearwater lumber mill workers supporting the rally and their message is clear, cuts hurt kids.
And during these hard economic times, the group says any cuts will hurt the backbone of their community.
"Social services, fire departments, police, it's across the board," said Angie Gustafson, a member of the Clarkston Classified Association union. "Everything they're cutting is hurting kids in such a way that they will have problems in the future."
The members are urging the governor and the legislature to pay attention to the budget cuts they make and find ways to work around it.
