California Schools in Disaster Mode

I have had this entire week off, then on Saturday, I had my first obligation to work, a five hour meeting with my union. Members come from all over Northern California to coordinate activities, report on committee progress and solve problems that administrations have forced upon us, "the workers".

In case you haven't noticed the future for education in California looks bleak even disastrous for students from kindergarten to final years of university with few prospects for improvement. California was first in the United States for education in 1978 and now it forty eight out of fifty (48th of 50 states). The spending per student in California is $2400 less than the average of spending per student in the United States. The neglect of education in California has been a steady slide from 1978 to now. Of course, I have an easy solution- tax the rich.

On a personal level, two very valuable classes that I taught at Analy High School were dropped because of funding cuts last year- Computer Skills. I will not spend too much time praising the value of my program, but many students have little or no access to computers at home. And how does one develop the skills to write a business letter, do a research paper, create a cogent presentation, or make oneself known on the the Internet without a demanding computer skills class?

So we, as a union just in this county, have planned many activities for March fourth.

Sonoma County Actions for March 4th

1. Half page ad in the Press Democrat (donations encouraged)

2. Get student input (perhaps leadership or writing slogans, making badges)

3. Diaster Drill- Under teacher supervision students will exit the building as if it is a fire or earthquake drill- a symbolic gesture to point out the disastrous state of California Schools.

4. Give out "Palm cards". Palm Cards have a little summary of what citizens can do to call attention to the situation.

5. Sign Petitions - Corporate Loopholes (possible the 55% passage on budget).

6. Take photos of your action and send 2 of them to Redwood council- our regional union chapter.

7. Wear your school colors and logos.

8. Put empty chairs in front of the school - one to match each person in the district pink slipped - classified, certificated and administrative. Color paper pink ( for "pink slips" or layoff notices) or black for the occasion.

9. Post your photos at Stand Up For Schools site sponsored by the California Teachers Association.

10. Start a countdown on Monday (ten days).

Our big action is to have a "disaster drill". In California the usual disasters are fire, flood and earthquake. We must do drills several times a year. We decided that to make a statement to the press and the central government in Sacramento we should stage a drill that signifies "Disaster for Education" in California. All students and teachers go out of their rooms and stand in a field to show that our schools are in a state of disaster.

Our superintendent prefers a much more conservative stand. We want to involve students, staff, administration and parents- really anyone who has a stake in the education of children from California. He does not want to do a disaster drill. I suggested that students for 20 minutes join hands outside the school to symbolize a protective stance for our school. He really should support us because he has the backing of his union and also the superintendent of Sonoma County schools (his boss).

We as teachers will join together with other teachers in our district to do a march to the central square in Sebastopol to protest the budget cuts. Even our conservative superintendent supports this move. And I expect that not only all of our teacher will join in this action but the clerical staff, administrators and any other employees of the district.

So, as I write in my blog late on a Sunday night, I realize that this message is for all members of the community who are interested in showing to the state and even the world, the desperate state of education in California. We must make some strong stand to captivate the press, agitate the public and shake the money interests in California. I know that kindergarten teachers to university professors join in this plea. Even out of state and out of country, the state of schools is an issue to pay attention to. There are two trends that contribute to the degeneration of schools, the present economic crisis and the movement to take monies away from public education.

As a last desperate addition, I will express my reason for retiring next year from my much loved teaching career. I have watched the down-slide of education funding in California. I have seen the class sizes continually increase. I have seen so many great programs be dropped. They even turn the heat off at noon in our school to save money. Summer schools and libraries are on the chopping block. I have seen hours cut for teachers, too many layoffs and librarians soon to be a vanishing species. I love my students and I love my job. And I would still love to continue to teach but not under the conditions that have squeezed every last concession.

I will forward this blog to everyone on my email list because I feel so passionately about these issues. My apologies if you do not understand it or if you have another opinion.