Teachers felt affirmed at rally

Their actual numbers were small, when one considers that 30,000 people made their way to Olympia Jan. 14 to rally for smaller class sizes and annual cost-of-living pay hikes for teachers.

But in terms of percentages, Orcas and Lopez were as well-represented at the rally as school districts within easy driving distance of Olympia. Orcas Superintendent Barry Acker, principals Barbara Kline and Coleen O’Brien, all but two of the teachers, and several classified staff members made the trip. Lopez was represented by 17 of its 18 teachers, although none of the administrators went to Olympia.

The teachers unions on both islands paid for charter buses that transported them to the rally. The money came from union dues, not tax dollars or school budgets.

With virtually all the teachers gone, classes were canceled for the day on both islands. It will be made up at the end of the school year.

The closure didn’t generate any complaints from local parents, according to Acker and Lopez Principal Elton Sorensen. The Orcas Island Rec Program provided free day care at the public school, but only 12 youngsters showed up, according to Director Didier Gincig.

Teachers, administrators, students and other supporters of public education from throughout the state marched through Olympia, then stood for nearly two hours in cold and damp weather, in a muddy field, to cheer as speaker after speaker said that the legislature had an obligation to fund smaller class sizes and cost-of-living pay increases, because they were approved by the voters. As one speaker put it, “The voters did their job, now it’s the legislature’s turn.”

Local teachers realize that their efforts may be in vain. State government faces a $2.4 billion shortfall, and major cuts will have to be made.

But even if they fail to get what they are seeking, the teachers will feel that it was worth making the trip, because they felt rewarded inside.

“It was very affirming,” said Orcas fourth grade teacher Mary Callahan, “to stand with all those educators.”

“It felt gratifying standing with thousands and thousands of my colleagues,” added Orcas High School civics and world history teacher Val Hellar. “Sometimes teaching can be an isolating profession. This was so opposite of that. We’re all in this together.”

Lopez Middle School teacher Craig Kelly said he was “impressed to see all those teachers, parents, and students. But I doubt it will do any good,” he admitted.

Orcas High School science teacher Dennis McKinney wasn’t nearly as pessimistic, and he challenged everyone who supports education to keep up the pressure on lawmakers. “I hope all the parties involved will follow up with it so students can be adequately served,” he said.

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