VALLEY COLLEGE : Students, Teachers Protest Cuts

A group of Valley College students and teachers demonstrated at the state office building in Van Nuys last week to call attention to the latest state budget cuts proposed for public education.

Nursing students Bonnie Anderson and Justine McGonagle organized the protest in front of the office of state Sen. David A. Roberti (D-Van Nuys), hoping to prompt others to fight against the proposed cuts by appealing to their state representatives.

“Many people don’t know what they are doing up in Sacramento,” Anderson said. “We’re in such bad shape, if we don’t get together now, thousands will no longer have the opportunity to receive an education.”

Under the latest budget plan by Gov. Pete Wilson, community college fees of $6 for each unit would be tripled. Statewide, the budget for community colleges would be cut by $451 million.

The Los Angeles Unified School District already has lost $400 million, with more cuts proposed, the protesters said.

“I have five children who all need an education through public schools,” said Blanca Kepcham, who joined the protesters as they chanted: “Education is our future. Save our schools.”

Kepcham said her job with the Los Angeles district’s Child Development Center was eliminated this year because of budget cuts and that her state unemployment benefits had run out.

“Students need to make a statement so they are not forgotten,” said Mary Hito, a Valley College mathematics instructor. “It would be sad to see schools disappear.”

“I think they need more demonstrations like this,” said onlooker Miriam Abner, a safety engineer for the city of Los Angeles. “They are up in Sacramento making cuts without considering who they are hurting--the people who put them in office.”

Abner, who has a junior high school-age son, said she worries about conditions in public schools such as the lack of air conditioning and textbooks and other supplies.

Demonstrators urged onlookers to educate themselves as to what their taxes fund.

“It has to start somewhere,” Anderson said. “We want to let people know there are a lot of people who aren’t apathetic. We hope to start a trend of demonstrations like this.”