CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Local Teachers Feel Blue; Protest State Education Cuts

Teachers wore blue and handed out blue leaflets to parents this morning in an effort to raise attention about how the state budget crisis is hurting schools.

The Newport Mesa Unified School District is planning to send out 152 layoff notices to teachers and staff, according to the pamphlet. At Harbor View Elementary, one or two teachers likely will get pink slips based on seniority, sources said.

“If classroom sizes are increased to 24 to one, we have too many teachers,” said Kim Carpenter, the school’s union representative.

The increased classroom sizes will include even kindergartners; read our story here.

“Parents don’t believe it,” said fifth-grade teacher Jessica Gardner, who was wearing a blue union t-shirt. “I tell them, ‘Believe it. It could be me.’”

Many teachers are planning to attend a public education rally from 4 to 6 p.m. in front of Costa Mesa High School.

“We’ll have signs,” said Tory LeVitre, the Corona del Mar High School teacher’s union representative, in an email. “All you have to do is spread the word, wear blue, and SHOW UP!!! This rally is for parents, teachers, kids, or anyone who cares and wants to help. Please encourage your students to come, too.”

The flyer distributed today to parents during school drop-off was called “Effects of the State Budget Crisis on Education,” and it stated that California spends $2,400 less per student than the national average. It also alleges that state legislators made secret deals with corporate lobbyists for $2 billion in tax breaks.

“In these tough economic times, everyone needs to pay their fair share,” the flyer states.

Corona del Mar Today has messaged Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, whose district includes Corona del Mar and Newport Beach, seeking comment. We will update if he replies.