After weeks of demonstrations outside of local schools and countless teachers wearing bright red in solidarity with the statewide movement in support of education funding, Cottonwood teachers walked out on Thursday, April 26. The statewide strike was the culmination of the building Red for Ed movement, protesting cuts in Arizona’s education funding since the Great Recession that have not been reversed even as the economy has improved.
“In the year 2000, in Texas, as a new teacher I got paid $5,000 more than I do now with nine years of experience,” said Monica Mathis, a physical education teacher at Mountain View Preparatory School, who stood at the corner of state routes 89A and 260 on the afternoon of Friday, April 26, to protest. More than 20 teachers stood with red shirts and signs advocating for education, while passing motorists honked in support.
Mathis, like many of the teachers demonstrating, expressed her own surprise that she was involved in a labor protest like this.
“I’m a conservative,” she said. “I’m not for throwing more money at things. But if they want to find people in this profession, they need to make it competitive. It’s not my first choice, but I very much see the need to have more funding.”
The striking teachers said they felt they received support from their school district administrations. Although administrators maintained officially neutral stances on the movement, school boards of both the Mingus Union High School District and the Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District voted to close school on Thursday, since striking teachers traveled to the State Capitol in Phoenix to join the protest against the legislature held there.
“I support the movement. I don’t support strikes,” said James Ledbetter, a member of the MUHSD school board. Ledbetter initially opposed closing the school, but relented after Mingus teachers promised to keep the school closed for one day, returning on Friday after traveling to the capital on Thursday. “It’s a better solution in a non-ideal circumstance.”
Mingus teachers made a promise to stay open to avoid delaying graduation for seniors finishing up their last year. COCSD, however, stayed closed Thursday, Friday and Monday, April 30, having enough leeway with its schedule to stay closed without adding extra days.
“We’ve got enough built in minutes to cover some time,” said COCSD Superintendent Steve King. “But that’s going to have to be a board decision coming up, whether they want to add days or just reduce the calendar. If it goes on a lot longer, I don’t know.”
COCSD teachers returned to school on Tuesday, with no plans for future strikes, even as teachers throughout Arizona continue the walkout.
Dozens of teachers from all of Cottonwood’s schools traveled to Phoenix on Thursday to join the rally, while those who stayed staged a march from Verde Valley Medical Center to Old Town. Teachers who traveled to Phoenix spoke of the solidarity with teachers from across the state, joining together in a unified cause.
“It made me more supportive than ever, because the teachers there are really worse off than we are,” said Rhonda Gonzalez, a second-grade teacher at Dr. Daniel Bright Elementary School. Gonzalez spoke of horror stories from teachers in some of the larger school districts in the state — leaky roofs, long-term substitute teachers and high teacher-to-student ratios. “The truth is we have a really supportive community. We’ve passed bonds and overrides and they haven’t had the opportunity to do those.”
Thursday was also a disappointing moment for many of the demonstrating teachers. The Arizona Legislature refused to meet with the teachers, ending its legislatives session early for the week. Gov. Doug Ducey had already proposed a plan for a 20 percent teacher pay raise over the next four years, a deal that teachers felt was insufficient because it did not address general school funding needs or other teacher demands, including better pay for classified staff. Ducey’s proposal also leads to cuts from other programs, including the Arizona Commission for the Arts, and teachers said they worry that it could be a promise not kept.
As teachers protested at the corner of State Routes 89A and 260 in Cottonwood on Friday, they received donations of donuts, water and other snacks. In addition to the many supporting their cause, others expressed anger at the teachers for going on strike.
“Twenty percent raise and you’re going to walk off the job?” yelled one man in a passing car on SR 260.
With COCSD closed Monday, many teachers traveled to the capitol again for further demonstrations. Mingus teachers mostly stayed in town, though some of those with accrued sick days have been taking off in shifts to travel to Phoenix with substitutes taking their places.
Teachers said they worry that legislators may continue to dig in their heels, but hope nevertheless that their actions could make an impact, even if they fail to get what they ask for.
“I think it is worth it,” said Jason Teague, a Mingus Union art teacher who has become an informal leader among the teachers there. “Because it’s got people talking. Right now there are more people engaged in what’s going on in the state of Arizona. As long as that’s happening, it’s got to be a win in our books.”
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
