Mountain View teachers protest layoffs
For two days last week Mountain View School District teachers and parents rallied in front of their schools to protest layoffs and class-size increases.
The district has planned to eliminate 17 permanent teachers for the 2010-11 school year, as well as seven temporary teachers on a year-to-year contract or on temporary assignment.
The district has also proposed to increase class sizes to one teacher for 25 students, from 1-to-20.
The protests on June 8 and 9 -- organized by the Associated Mountain View Teachers -- were held at the district's four south Ontario school sites and district office, as well as after the eighth-grade commencement ceremony, which was held at Colony High School.
"We have board members who are up for re-election, and we want to let parents know what is happening to their students, and if not then they should vote them out," said Jacqueline Carter, union president.
Board President Ronald Newton said he understands the threat of re-election, he said the board and district also have a duty to everyone in the community to remain fiscally solvent, parents, students, teachers and taxpayers.
"And unfortunately with today's situation, with the budget from the state, as well as reductions we're being faced with, and declining enrollment, we have to do what needs to be done," he said.
"It's not because we're mismanaging the budget or the district is saying us to do one thing or the other."
Late last month state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell visited Ranch View Elementary school, one of four California Distinguished Schools in the district and said he was impressed with the district's efforts to keep its class sizes low.
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