Teachers gear up for walk outs; YUHSD to close Thursday and Friday

Teachers across Yuma County continued to lead walk-ins Tuesday morning.

The initiative comes after Red for Ed leaders gear up for statewide walkouts starting Thursday.

Teachers from Yuma High School said they hope to see legislators make changes to Arizona school funding.

Liz Huyck, a teacher at Yuma High School, said she wants to see the state prioritize better education for its students.

“We need the teacher that went to college,” Huyck said. “[The teacher] that got their degree in math, have a passion, and have the knowledge to help our students get to the next level.”

Tish Malone said she’s been teaching for 22 years and said she’s seen the state continue to cut public school budget.

“The state has cut, cut, cut,” Malone said. “We give away money to people who make money, and we’re in a business where we rely on the state to fund us.”

While the rest of the state gears up for walkouts Thursday, Gina Thompson, superintendent of the Yuma Union High School District said all schools within the district will be closed by Thursday.

“I was a teacher first,” Thompson said. “So I do understand the steady decline in public education funding is of great concern. With that being said, as Superintendent, I wish we could’ve avoided a walk out. But I do understand all sides to the situation I also do my very best to educate myself.”

A statement released Tuesday announced that YUHSD schools will close Thursday and Friday.