Daytona Beach, FL - There's a bus trip planned to Tallahassee on Monday and anyone interested in public education is invited to come along for the ride. Volusia United Educators President Elizabeth Albert said it's not only teachers who will "Take on Tallahassee." She says the reason they are going is that "We recognize that we can not continue to treat public schools the way that they have been treated for over a decade. We need to ensure that students are successful."
Albert says that students need certified teachers in every classroom and support professionals are needed to support the needs of the children. She says para-professionals who assist in exceptional student education classes, bus drivers, folks that work in the front office and even cafeteria workers are all necessary for public education to work properly. Albert said that most of the people who work to get the job done are not being paid a living wage and Monday's rally is also in support of them. She wants people to view these positions as being as valuable as teachers.
Advocating for safe and secure schools is part of the plan. Albert says this rally is "more than just talking about money." It's about the nuts and bolts about ensuring that our students are successful. The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday. Albert says it's wonderful that Target Tallahassee and the Senate meeting coincide. She said she hopes the Committee will know they are out there.
If you'd like to go to Tallahassee to show your support for public education, you can contact the VUE office at 386-238-1605. The buses will start loading at One Daytona at 7:45 a.m. on Monday and will leave at 8:30. You can also sign up on the Florida Education Association website.
