Yuma County teachers stand in solidarity at West Wetlands park

Local teachers gathered at the West Wetlands Park in Yuma to show the community’s support for the #RedForEd Movement.

“We are Yuma County teachers where education matters and we are here to support #RedForEd,” said Ana Ortega, an educator in Yuma County.

It is the movement that has educators wearing red.

“We wanted to show a powerful form of unity among our community,” added Ortega.

“We are underfunded, you know books, desks and overfull classrooms,” said teacher, Wendy Espinoza.

However, it is not just educators who want to see the change.

Jesse, a public school staff member shared, “we’re supporting bus drivers, we’re supporting communication workers, staff, security and maintenance in this school.”

Gov. Doug Ducey’s (R.) proposed plan to raise teachers salaries to 20 percent by 2020 does not benefit everyone in the system, nor does it create more funds for the classroom.

“What about our janitors, what about our psychologists, what about everyone in our staff that we depend on,” said Espinoza.

When it came to the walk-out vote, some just hope it does not affect the students. Former Principal at Gila Vista Junior High, Rusty Tyndall shared, “I hope it doesn’t come to that, this movement is really about taking care of kids and we’re not interested in putting kids in jeopardy.”

The walk-out vote will be completed April 19th, 2018.