Yuma education rally part of statewide action

Mar 3, 2010 — The Yuma Daily Sun

Mar. 3, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The Arizona Education Association invites the public to attend a rally explaining how state budget cuts are impacting education.

The "March 4 Schools" takes place at 4 p.m. Thursday in the multipurpose space of the Gary Knox School cafeteria/gym, 2926 S. 21st Drive. For more information, log on to www.arizonaea.org.

This rally is intended to educate people about how cuts in state aid to education are impacting schools, said Nona Bong, organizational consultant with AEA.

"We invited all three of the area's legislators: Russ Jones, Lynn Pancrazi and Amanda Aguirre. Jones and Pancrazi say they will attend, depending on their schedule at the Capitol."

The rally is part of 38 other actions across the state aimed to have teachers, education professionals and parents sharing anecdotes about how state cuts affected their schools. AEA also hopes to focus attention on anti-education legislators who are critical of teachers and schools in their neighborhoods, according to the AEA Web page.

Scheduled to speak at Thursday's rally are Cindy Didway, Crane Elementary School District superintendent; Sheryle Mathis, AEA executive director; and Chris Maza, president of Paradise Education Association.

Didway is expected to discuss how state cuts specifically impact Crane, while Mathis will address class size and all-day kindergarten and Maza will examine how the entire state is dealing with cuts already implemented.

AEA will provide information fliers on the state budget crisis and how people can contact state legislators so they can become more involved with the budget process and make their concerns known, Bong said.

To access the rally, people are advised to arrive at the side entrance of Gary Knox School and proceed through the ramada to reach the cafeteria.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0239-42538527