KION - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News WeatherWatsonville Teacher Marches For Education

Watsonville Teacher Marches For Education

WATSONVILLE, Calif.- A diverse group of Californians, including a San Diego community college professor, two Los Angeles probation officers, a Watsonville teacher, a retired Berkeley adult educator, and a retired Los Angeles teacher today announced they will embark March 5th on a 48]day "March for California's Future."

The March, sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) and a coalition of labor, education and faith groups, will begin with a Los Angeles rally at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, after which marchers will travel to Bakersfield to begin their walk. Following in Cesar Chavez's footsteps, hundreds of firefighters, nurses, in]home care workers, students, and police officers will join the marchers for parts of their 260]mile Bakersfield to Sacramento trek.

"Budget cuts over the years have made our schools less safe. We're down to seven nurses in my school district of 19,000 students. The administration is cutting custodians, office staff and counselors too," said Jenn Laskin, a reading specialist and teacher in Watsonville. "When you've got only one custodian at a school, it becomes an unsafe environment. When you have no counselors, kids cannot learn about college."

What: Rally to Launch "March for California's Future"

Where: Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 4269 South Figueroa Street, LA

When: Friday, March 5 10:00 am