File Photo: Austin capitol building
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Seven teachers from Amarillo are leaving Friday to go to Austin and be part of a state-wide rally on Saturday. Educators and supporters will be flooding the capitol to urge lawmakers to maintain public education funding levels, at a time when there's a $27 billion shortfall.
The teachers will be joined by members of the Amarillo Education Association. "I think if we all stand up together and let the government know that we value a public education and we believe in our public education system that they will be willing to step-up and meet the budget demands," said Misty Heiskell, a 5th grade math teacher at Coronado Elementary School.
She continued saying their goal, is to get 100 house members to vote to use the Rainy Day fund to help education.
"Cutting $9.7 billion from the state education fund, to me, doesn't make any sense. Our children are the future and we need to put every resource available into their education," said Heiskell.
Locally, there will be an education rally at the Chase building on April 2, 2011. It will start at 10 a.m. and run through 2 p.m. State Representative Four Price is expected to make an appearance in support of this cause.
But when it comes to the rainy day fund, Governor Rick Perry has long opposed tapping into it. Thursday, a top Perry aide opened the door to using the fund.
Legislative director Ken Armbrister said Perry is absolutely open to using the money and has, "not drawn a line in the sand."
To learn more about the rally, click here. If you have an opinion and want to contact your elected representatives, click here.
Do you believe in and support the Save Texas Schools mission? Click here, to sign the pledge.
