PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Thousands of students, parents and teachers gathered in Salem Monday morning to demand more money for schools.
The state spends about $4 billion a year on K-12 education. Most of that money comes from income taxes but property taxes also help foot the bill.
Oregon Education Association organized the “March for Our Students” rally and march to appeal to lawmakers. Buses brought teachers from all across Oregon, who dressed in red for the “Go Red for Education” theme.
OEA said classes are overcrowded and there aren’t enough staff members — both of which hurt students and their education.
Oregon ranks in the lower half of states for per-pupil spending according to the US Census. The teachers and students will also be visiting with lawmakers, urging them to increase spending for classrooms.
“As a special education teacher I teach life skills classes like cooking — we had to collect bottles and cans to get the money needed for food,” teacher Celine Buccek said.
Several streets around the Capitol were shut down for the march.
Inside the Capitol, they got a warm reception with a lot of support from the governor and lawmakers but in the coming months of the session, they’ll see how much money is set aside for education.