• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Anaconda Teachers Organize Education Rally

Posted on: Sunday, 30 October 2005, 15:00 CST

By Vera Haffey, The Montana Standard, Butte

Oct. 30--ANACONDA -- The recent closure of Dwyer Intermediate elementary school in Anaconda demonstrates how the lack of adequate education funding can hurt and divide a small community, according to a pair of concerned Anaconda teachers.

So, with the support of the Anaconda Teachers' Union, Debbie Basiaga and Angela McLean are organizing a Stand Up for Education rally to heighten awareness about what they see as a critical lack of school funding.

The public rally is set for on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the AHS Little Theatre. Eric Feaver, president of MEA-MFT and Jack Copps will be the main speakers.

McLean said the focus of the rally is to urge legislators to call a special session to address an immediate funding solution. Because of an anticipated delay in getting funds, McLean says the time to act is now. Otherwise, Anaconda and other districts across the state could wind up with fewer dollars next year than were available this year.

"It is estimated that implementation of any new funding formula will take at least six months," McLean said. "Therefore, time is of the essence if our children will benefit from a new plan by next school year." As a parent and a high school government teacher, McLean says it's time for an effective, long term solution. The Montana's Promise proposal submitted by the Montana Quality Education Coalition, of which Anaconda's School District No. 10 is a member, is a plan that would provide immediate relief with some parts of the plan being implemented over time, she says.

That plan features state investment in programs to help eliminate achievement gaps, such as full-day kindergarten and Indian Education for All, plus a significant overhaul of school employee health insurance.

The plan would also provide schools $4,000 in state funding per each certified professional in the public schools in contrast to a plan set forth by an interim committee that calls for $4,000 per classroom.

Other accommodations under the plan include attention to free and reduced lunch programs and special education for qualified children.

"All of these components will positively impact public schools in our community and others around the state," McLean said. "But a session must be called to adopt and begin implementation of this plan." McLean says if an adequate funding solution is not reached, we will see cuts in curriculum, extra curricular activities, further teacher and staff layoffs and a general decline in programs offered in our public schools.

"Therefore I think a special session is needed immediately so that Anaconda and all Montana schools can maintain the courses, programs and staff necessary to maintain our world class education system," McLean said.

McLean said the funding issue hit home at Anaconda High School last year.

"My students worried about the classes and teachers that would be cut from their high school due to increasing utility costs, declining enrollment and the lack of state funds," McLean said. "It would be a shame if all Anaconda residents didn't rally around the cause of our legislature and governor taking effective action to ensure that our students never have to face such uncertainty again."

-----

To see more of The Montana Standard, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mtstandard.com.

Copyright (c) 2005, The Montana Standard, Butte

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.

Source: The Montana Standard

More News in this Category