Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers, talks Wednesday in the Watsonville Plaza about the perils of recent huge cuts to school budgets around the state.

Pajaro Valley Unified School District employees held a noisy rally to protest budget cuts being made to schools, including the closure of all elementary school libraries, Wednesday in Watsonville Plaza.

Headed up by the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers, classified staff, teachers, administrators, students, parents and supporters of public education raised their voices, placards and posters against proposed state and district budget cuts, displaying their message for passing motorists and pedestrians. Of all of the 140 districts represented by the California Federation of Teachers in collective bargaining across the state, only educators in the PVUSD have been asked to reduce their salaries in response to the budget crisis, according to CFT organizers. The district also is considering increasing elementary class sizes and reducing benefits, members of the protest said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday released a $144.3 billion state budget that eliminates a massive deficit by selling lottery bonds and cutting billions in state programs.

While the recent revision of his budget helps to soften many of the controversial elements of his previous budget — he has dropped a plan to suspend the state’s minimum school funding guarantee, for example — his plan still slashes more than $4 billion from California schools.

California Federation of Teachers President Marty Hittelman joined the rally in downtown Watsonville to underscore the necessity for the PVUSD administration, as well as the governor, to find another way to solve the state’s financial problems.

“There are alternatives to destroying the education that our students need and deserve,” Hittelman said. “Our students did not cause this crisis. This level of cutting public education is disruptive everywhere and devastating in many communities like Pajaro Valley. These aren’t statistics. These are people — educators and students — who will suffer.”

Lining Main Street at the plaza, the crowd of close to 200 people chanted, “no cuts to education,” and “save our libraries,” to streams of passing cars and trucks. Many drivers blared their horns and waved and shouted back their support. Scores of young students also took part, waving signs and holding up fists.

“Our governor is searching around for solutions,” Hittelman said. “He knows rallies like these are taking place around the state. This rally is terrific. Educators are angry. These people have dedicated themselves to getting degrees and now they’re being told they’re expendable.”

“We’re opposed to the draconian cuts that the governor proposed,” said Francisco Rodriguez, president of the PVFT. “We want to make sure that the governor and legislature know that education is a primary concern of all Californians, and that what they do directly affects the children of California.”

It was a tune that has been sung since the board began considering cuts earlier this year. The attendees at the rally were demanding that the district eliminate high-level management positions.

“We’re here because the cuts to PVUSD have not come from the top,” said Robert Chacanaca, president of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council. “They came from the bottom, and those are the people who have the most contact with the kids.”

The governor’s budget has forced the Board of Trustees of the PVUSD to make $8 million in cuts to programs, services and positions throughout the district.

The cuts have been felt throughout district ranks. When making their spending reductions, the board issued layoff notices to dozens of administrators, and eliminated the newly created deputy superintendent position.

Bill Monning, a candidate for the 27th Assembly District, took part in the event, as did City Councilmembers Greg Caput and Antonio Rivas.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report

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*Photos by Tarmo Hannula*

(Published in 5/15/08 edition)

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