Join teachers at the rally | Letter

Published 3:58 pm Tuesday, May 12, 2015

As a teacher, I know Orcas Island students would benefit from smaller class sizes at every grade level, whether they’re in kindergarten or high school. I also know that if we want to continue attracting and keep caring, qualified teachers for our students, we need to provide competitive, professional pay and benefits.

Yet in Olympia, the state Senate has voted to only fund smaller class sizes in grades K-3, which means our older students won’t get the same level of individual support. The Senate also voted to eliminate voter-approved funding to help students in low-income schools. Additionally, the Senate voted to send the class-size initiative, I-1351, back to voters this fall even though more than 1 million Washington voters just approved it in November.

Orcas Island teachers think our kids deserve better than that, which is why on May 17, we’re going to have a Day of Action against the Washington Legislature. Please join us on May 17 as we wear “Red for Ed” at the Orcas ferry landing from 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. while we raise our voices in support of fully funding public education.

Incredibly, a majority of the state senators also voted to limit teachers and other school employees to a tiny cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), even though senators themselves are likely to get an 11.2 percent pay raise. The Senate budget also falls far short of funding the healthcare that teachers and other school employees need to stay healthy so they can focus on educating their students.

Our action is directed at the state Legislature, not our local school district. Orcas Island teachers appreciate our community’s support, and we are proud to take this stand on behalf of our students and quality public schools. Members of the Orcas Education Association call on the state Senate and House to do the right thing: fund smaller class sizes for all kids, and provide the professional pay our teachers and school staff deserve.

We hope to see you wear red and join us at the ferry landing at noon on May 17.

Anne Ford McGrath

Orcas Island teacher and president of OIEF