On Monday, July 17th, 40 people representing public schools in Freestone and Limestone Counties attended a rally supporting public education in Texas.
The rally was initiated by the founder of Texans for Public Education, Mr. Troy Reynolds. The rally was supported also by ten additional organizations interested in supporting public education in Texas.
“I feel that is highly valuable that retired and current Texas teachers exercised their American freedom of peaceful assembly, to appeal to their elected officials,” states Tony Price, a former teacher and school administrator, currently serves as Acting Superintendent for Fairfield ISD. “It will be extremely important that teachers and supporters of public education become very involved the election process.”
The purpose of the rally was to get the attention of the Texas State Legislators the day before they began a Special Session called for by Governor Abbott. During the last regular session the legislatures seemed to forget their responsibility of funding public school, teacher salaries, and TRS Care which is the annuities and healthcare program for retired teachers.
The bill passed in the regular session passed the funding responsibility on to tax payers. A pay raise was even mandated without funding. This simply means more taxes for the people.
“We need to investigate who is running and affirm how they value public schools,” Superintendent Price continues. “It is essential the people who love public education must become highly engaged in the Texas early primary process.”
The trip Monday was made possible by generous donations of individuals and groups who are interested in supporting and continuing public education in our state.
There were nine speakers during the 1 ½ hour program who made it clear that everyone needs to be more informed as to what our legislators are doing or not doing when they meet.
Those people who traveled to Austin from these two counties were proud to wear their red shirts and represent all, in this area, who support public education.
“It has been my personal and professional experience that public education is the “great equalizer” and allows ALL citizens with essential tools to access the American Dream,” says Price.
Here are the ten partners who helped sponsor the rally: Texas State Teachers Association/NEA, Association of Texas Professional Educators, Texas AFT, Austin Voices for Education and Youth, Texas Retired Teachers Association, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Pastors for Texas Children, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Friends, Texans Advocating for Meaningful Student Assessment
The speakers were: Host Troy Reynolds, Rev. Charles Johnson of Pastors for Texas Children, Dr. Theresa Trevino of Texans Advocating Meaningful Student Assessment, Mike Lee as a school board member and interim superintendent, Louis Malfaro of American Federation of Teachers, Gary Godsey of Association of Texas Public Educators, David Dickert representing students (currently a student at SFA), Tim Lee of Texas Retired Teachers Association, Blake Cooper of Friends of Texas Public Schools, Chris Masey, Coalition for Texans with Disabilities.
