More than a thousand South Bay teachers, school employees, parents and community leaders held a rally at West High Stadium in Torrance May 21, urging the state Legislature to move quickly in adopting a state budget that shields public schools from further cuts.
"California schools have taken as much as they can bear," said CTA Secretary-Treasurer-elect Dean E. Vogel. "The governor's revised budget avoids devastating across-the-board cuts in education. We are urging the Legislature to support the proposal and spare schools from further cuts by adopting the budget on time."
South Bay school districts have been shaken by budget cuts over the past two years, and community members oppose any further weakening of public schools. Many districts have already laid off teachers and classified employees, increased class sizes, or cut vital programs.
Among the districts participating in the rally were Torrance, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Centinela Valley, Lawndale, Lennox, El Segundo, Wiseburn, Hermosa Beach, Palos Verdes and El Camino College.
In addition to Vogel, speakers at the rally included Torrance Teachers Association President Gary Breese, Manhattan Beach United Teachers Association President Linda Fredericks, California State PTA past President Rosaline Turnbull and El Segundo Mayor Mike Gordon.