OVER 800 PROTEST PROPOSED CUTS IN TEACHER PAY, BENEFITS AT GUHSD BOARD MEETING

May 18, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – An estimated 800 to 900 teachers and supporters demonstrated in front of the Grossmont Union High School District board meeting on May 13th to protest proposed cuts in salary and health benefits.

Wearing red T-shirts, marchers carried umbrellas to urge that trustees spend “rainy day” reserves. Teachers,  counselors, parents and others shouted “It’s raining, it’s pouring and class size is soaring!” The district is facing huge deficits due largely to state budget cuts in education.

“It was a great turnout,” said Fran Zumwalt, president of the Grossmont Education Association (GEA), the union representing teachers. The Board took no action at the meeting, but a mediator set the next mediation for June 7th. “We are planning a pre-school picket prior to or on the day of the next mediation,” Zumwalt said. Details will be posted at the GEA website at www.gea-action.org, which also has charts outlining the impact of cuts on teachers, counselors and other GEA members.

For the district's interim financial report and budget planning, prepared in March, see http://portal.guhsd.net/GUHSD/FY_0910_Second_Interim_Financial_Report_Ov....