NKC-NEA holds rally
for education

More than 100 North Kansas City NEA members held a rally for education Nov. 4 at Eastgate Middle School in the North Kansas City School District. The theme of the rally was “Education Cuts Hurt Kids.” NKC-NEA priorities include maintaining class size, protecting planning and teaching time, competitive salaries, no reduction in salaries and benefits, a reduction in non-mandatory standardized testing and spending down balances before cutting staff and programs for students.

State Rep. Phil Willoughby and Dan Bishop joined NKC-NEA President Katie Guthals on stage at the event and spoke about how to make a difference at the legislature. NEA Director Charles Smith also spoke, as did MNEA Board of Directors member LaVonne Kothe.

At the board of education work session that same evening, more than 300 community and staff members gathered to hear proposals from the administration for $7.5 million in budget cuts for the 2004-05 school year. Many teachers and support personnel addressed the board about how these budget cuts would affect kids. The primary issues concerned teacher and support staff reductions, reduced planning time and increased workloads.

by Katie Guthals
North Kansas City NEA president