Despite promises of extra cash, many educators in Albemarle County and across the state made a fashion statement Friday to protest funding cuts by the commonwealth.
Educators were encouraged by the Virginia Education Association to wear black on Friday. "Black Friday" was a meant to unite teachers and send a message to Richmond that something has to change in the public education system.
Sutherland Middle School special education teacher Holly Neavear said, "I'm wearing black today because we are mourning the state of education, not only here in Albemarle County but in the state of Virginia."
Sutherland Middle School sixth and seventh grade teacher Patty Parmiter echoed Neaver's statement. "I think teachers are doing it because we're frustrated, we've watched cuts after cuts after cuts happen at the state level and it really impacts us at the county level," said Parmiter.
They are cuts that teachers say they can't afford to lose. Albemarle County Schools Executive Director, Matt Hass said, "It's our job is to do as much as we can to shield the classroom and shield the students primarily from the kinds of cuts that are being made at the state level."
Patty Parmiter is one of the teachers standing up to legislators. She says that while the district is trying to protect students, cuts have already impacted the classroom.
"I've taught in this building for twelve years and I've watched the decrease in funding and how it impacts kids directly," said Parmiter.
From resources to specialized teachers, all of this is digging deep into school districts. "I think teachers are just trying to send a message to the state that we've got to come up with other ways to cut money besides taking away from the school," said Parmiter.
"Everyone knows that we're having some economic woes but we do not feel that schooling should be one of the target areas to detract the money from," stated Neavear.
But they say they can't fight this issue alone. "We need other people to be out there fighting for the education dollars for our schools besides the teachers because it's not just us that it's impacting, it impacts the future, these kids are our future leaders," said Parmiter.
Teachers at Sutherland Middle School say that the students they are worried for the most are the ones that are behind the curve. For some students, the only way they do well on standardized tests and have the ability to graduate, are by using the very resources that the state's cuts are forcing public schools to do away with.
The Virginia Education Association will be holding an event on Saturday March 3 to mourn the loss of public education. The public and educators are invited to join the protest at the Free Speech Monument on Charlottesville's downtown mall on the at noon on March 3.
