Texas PTA members attending a rally at the Capitol on Thursday were urged to take their case against big funding cuts in education to as many legislators as possible in hopes of easing some of those reductions. Rep. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, told hundreds of PTA members from around the state that they need "to enlist every single parent, grandparent, neighbor, teacher, retired teacher and anybody else who cares about the real crisis we have in this state." That crisis stems from the current state revenue crunch, which some experts say will cost school districts as much as $5 billion next year.
Menendez issued his call to action as several Republican lawmakers were seated on a stage behind him, most of whom avoided talking about the funding situation during their remarks before the PTA crowd. The House member said PTA groups should be concerned about possible funding cuts for schools, loss of teaching jobs and efforts to ease class size restriction in elementary grades. "I don't think any teachers want to have 30 students in their classrooms," Menendez said, drawing applause from the audience. He also heard loud support when he questioned the intent of some Republicans to not use the state's $9.4 billion rainy day fund to protect schools from some of the cutbacks.
Texas PTA President Sharon Goldblatt also called on members "to make a difference" in their visits to legislators. "Let's let them know Texas students will not settle for second best," she said. In earlier remarks, she said the Legislature must "maintain a focus on the needs of students and educators on issues such as maintaining small class sizes." Lawmakers are considering a change to the current 22-pupil limit in kindergarten through fourth grade to save money and give districts more flexibility in staffing schools.
Source: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/02/texas-pta-members-urged-to-fig.html
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