Sunnyside School District faces significant job cuts
SUNNYSIDE -- The Sunnyside School District faces some serious challenges. The district stands to lose $6 million if Governor Gregoire's budget proposal passes. That's about 10 percent of its budget
Superintendent Rick Cole says his district could lose as many as 90 of its 750 positions. Those include teachers, bus drivers and custodians.
Sunnyside Education Association Leader Dan Thomas says the students would suffer.
"It would seriously detract from their education because every one of those people are responsible in some way for making this school district successful," Thomas said.
Thomas said the district is at a major tipping point.
"No one has stepped up and provided leadership to provide a stable source of funding for public education," Thomas said.
Belinda Garcia is senior at Sunnyside. She says students oppose the budget cuts and the Governor's proposed shortened school year.
"They'd have to stick more information into our classes with a shorter amount of time," Garcia said.
Alice Aguire spent the last 27 years working for the district. She worries about the long-term impact of any cuts.
"Our country doesn't produce the smartest kids, versus other countries in the world," Aguire said. "So here we are, deterring them and taking away their opportunity to get educated."
Thomas says it's time for the state to align with the community.
"The people of Sunnyside have stepped up and said that education is important to them. They've passed levies. They've passed bonds. They're willing to kick in their fair share," Thomas said.
"It's time that the state recognized the urgency of this and reformed the tax system so that we have a stable source of funding," Thomas said.
Superintendent Rick Cole says his district could lose as many as 90 of its 750 positions. Those include teachers, bus drivers and custodians.
Sunnyside Education Association Leader Dan Thomas says the students would suffer.
"It would seriously detract from their education because every one of those people are responsible in some way for making this school district successful," Thomas said.
Thomas said the district is at a major tipping point.
"No one has stepped up and provided leadership to provide a stable source of funding for public education," Thomas said.
Belinda Garcia is senior at Sunnyside. She says students oppose the budget cuts and the Governor's proposed shortened school year.
"They'd have to stick more information into our classes with a shorter amount of time," Garcia said.
Alice Aguire spent the last 27 years working for the district. She worries about the long-term impact of any cuts.
"Our country doesn't produce the smartest kids, versus other countries in the world," Aguire said. "So here we are, deterring them and taking away their opportunity to get educated."
Thomas says it's time for the state to align with the community.
"The people of Sunnyside have stepped up and said that education is important to them. They've passed levies. They've passed bonds. They're willing to kick in their fair share," Thomas said.
"It's time that the state recognized the urgency of this and reformed the tax system so that we have a stable source of funding," Thomas said.
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