In a show of solidarity, teachers, administrators and supporters for Kern County’s educational system wore red as they rallied together to promote awareness for Gov. Brown’s budget initiative in hopes to avoid losing educational funding.
Brad Barnes, president of the Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association, led the curbside rally in front of the Bakersfield City Courthouse March 29.
The rally featured educators speaking out against legislators for not supporting public education funding as they urged the public to contact their representatives to support the budget initiative.
“We’re rallying today to encourage the Governor and our folks in Sacramento to pass a budget that extends the current revenue structure,” Barnes said. “Republicans in Sacramento want an ‘all cuts’ solution. Education has taken cuts for four years in a row and we’re pretty bare bones now and if we have another all cuts solution we’re gonna lose another $5 billion and that’s going to lead to closing more classrooms.
“The proposal now extends the current tax structure which adds $9 billion of the $25 billion shortfall but without extending the current tax structure, those taxes expire and then the state revenue drops another $9 billion.”
As the unified voices of those in attendance shouted “NO MORE CUTS,” passing motorists honked in support of the rallying educators as they waved signs promoting their cause.
Pam Baugher, trustee from Bakersfield City, recalls on her 40 years of experience as a Kern County educator as she addressed the crowd about the severity of educational funding for California schools and the need to be proactive.
“I’ve seen times when money’s been good and when money’s been bad but it’s never been as bad as it is for public education today and it is my concern that the legislators, particularly our local ones, are refusing to give us – as voters – the opportunity to decide whether we want to extend the taxes and support public education better than what we’re doing right now,” Baugher said.