Sean C. Morgan
While teachers in some districts around the state walked out May 8 to attend rallies in support of “adequate” funding for education, teachers and staff members in Sweet Home stayed home and kept their schools open.
But they finished the day with a rally at Husky Field that attracted more than people, who listened to speakers on the issue while students practiced on the track and fields below and behind the rally.
The Oregon Education Association had called for a statewide “Day of Action,” said Supt. Tom Yahraes prior to the walkout. “Some districts are planning walkouts to illustrate to the legislature the need for additional, adequate and stable education funding. “The Sweet Home School District will be having school.”
The Sweet Home School District does desire stable and equitable funding and particularly needs funding to help support K-12 music and arts programs, Yahraes said during the rally. It supports stable and equitable funding for health, safety and the special needs of students and for the full funding for college, career and technical education, alternative education and dropout prevention programs.
“We feel the best way to show support for these needs and other needs is to keep school in session, serving our students and families,” Yahraes said. “Our Sweet Home staff is determined to keep schools open to ensure students receive the educational programming they deserve and to limit the impact and disruption on our families and local businesses.
“The best way to show support is not walking out or canceling school. We are keeping our doors open and serving our students and families first.”
Yahraes said the community has constantly supported the district and education through bonds, levies, program fund-raising events and “extraordinary community projects like our amazing football-soccer field and the fundraising for the auditorium.”
Since announcing school would stay in session on May 8, Yahraes said the response from the community was positive.
On Facebook, they praised and thanked the district. A couple of respondents noted that employees should go to work even if they have issues with the system. One called out the professionalism of Sweet Home’s staff in doing so.
Yahraes said it was teacher appreciation week and gave special thanks to them: “Thank you for being the boots on the ground and helping kids strive for their potential.”
Teachers, classified staff members, students, family members and community members showed up at Husky Field after school wearing red. Following remarks from Yahraes, high school senior Sarah Hewitt and junior high science teacher Michelle Clarno, the group signed a letter to the state legislature and then walked Long and Main streets to show their support.
“I appreciate my school, my community and my state’s support for education,” Hewitt said. “However, in order to keep education a high priority, we must ensure, at the very least, adequate funding.
“In my four years, I have seen some improvements, but I have witnessed my teachers and my School District struggle to maintain language, math and science course offerings and learning opportunities.”
But when she hears about teachers who have to spend money from their own pockets on school supplies or students relying on teachers for counseling and mental support, she begins to question, “whether our commitment to education is strong enough.”
House Bill 3427, which would establish funds for student success, was voted out of committee and passed the House of Representatives May 1, Hewitt said. Sweet Home’s representative, Sherrie Sprenger, did not vote on the bill, and when it went to the senate floor, no Republicans showed up for the vote, denying a quorum.
The bill would impose more than $2 billion over two years in gross receipts taxes on businesses.
“It’s time to hold our representatives and senators accountable for student success,” Hewitt said. “Our students are the future. This shouldn’t be about party line politics. When we talk about funding education, we are talking about investing in our future. I for one want to walk down the halls of SHHS and see my peers succeed not just academically but feel valued and supported as members of the community.”
Unfortunately, she said, that’s not the reality she experiences. Despite the best efforts of teachers and administrators, a tremendous need remains in the public school system.
“I support my teachers and School District’s efforts to raise awareness about this issue and their commitment to putting students first,” Hewitt said. “Today is a testament to that by keeping school in session and sponsoring this rally.”
She encouraged those gathered to contact Sen. Fred Girod to gain his support for this bill.
“I would love to see this district blossom,” Clarno said. “I would love to see arts and music in elementary school. It’s about having programs in our schools to give our kids a well-rounded education.”
That involves the programs in the elementary schools, career and technical education (CTE) at the high school and mental health and behavioral support for students in the district, Clarno said. Regarding CTE, “with the number of kids that don’t go on to college, we need as much as we can get.”