Politics & Government
Crowd Gathered in Todos Santos Plaza For Education Rally
Some 150 people made their case for more education funding from Sacramento.
The speakers are just warming up their vocal chords as Patch posts this item Wednesday afternoon at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord.
Some 150 advocates have gathered in the plaza to urge Sacramento to increase funding for schools and stop the cycle of cuts. Among the speakers is Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, who helped organize the event.
Contra Costa Board of Supervisor member for district 4, Karen MItchoff was seen talking to her constituants.
Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Mt Diablo Unified school board members Linda Mayo and Gary Eberhart were on hand to let the crowd know they were supported.
"I think the rally is fantastic. Because it brings awareness to the budget situation and how it affects education, children and families. Im not sure that people are taking budget cutting seriously. Yes we are all tightening out belts but we don't realize how much it affects public education and what impact it will have in the future." said Linda Mayo, a school board of education member of the Mt Diablo Unified School District.
Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Jenna Dieftler a high school teacher spoke at the rally and later spoke candidly. "I was laid off for three years in a row. The first year I was rehired in June. The second year I was laid off and hired for Mt. Diablo and last year I was laid off as well. So every year I had to take unemployment just to survive. I lost a lot of colleagues because they cant wait around they have to find a job some place else. Because of that uncertainty we lost a lot of amazing teachers." said Dieftler a 4th year teacher at Mt Diablo High who teaches history, government and economics.
"I think that it effects our students the most but it effects our teachers too but our students are hurt the most. I have 38 students in a room, I had to teach. They can't get the quality education that they deserve and they need. I think it especially it hurts the students who are socio-economically disadvantaged the most. Because the schools have the newer teachers that are laid off. I think its so un-equitable." added Dieftler who will be leaving the state to get married.
25 diverse organizations participated in the event. Reprentatives from the Diablo Valley College Chapter of the Students for Democratic Society not on the roster, were on hand to show thier support for the rally.
