The Education Blog

Tens of thousands teachers have gathered in Californian streets to protest budget cuts to education financing proposed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. After the protest at 8:30 a.m., teachers returned to their working regular duties, denouncing the protest as a disruption of the school day.

The New York Times reports that if passed, the cuts would reduce financing for Los Angeles schools by $340 million next year.

The district failed to win a court injunction in early May to prevent teachers from leaving their classes to take part in the protest. On Thursday night, Superintendent David Brewer sent an automated call to parents, notifying them of the protest and calling it “the wrong message” to send to legislators and to the community.

According to News.xinhuane.com, the protesters were carrying picket signs calling for increased education funding. Some teachers even marched alongside some downtown – area streets. At some schools, students joined the teachers, chanting and shouting at passing vehicles.

District and union officials have said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget would slash about 353 million dollars from the district budget.

Even though the protest has a continuous character, Palmer, the deputy director of the state Department of Finance, is quoted commenting on the governor’s acts.

“The governor added nearly 2 billion dollars to education funding when he revised his budget proposal in May, despite a 15.2-billion-dollar statewide budget shortfall. A testament to the fact that this governor puts a very high priority on education,” Palmer said.

Photo: © marctonysmith

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