Arizona Teachers Rally For Higher Pay, More Education Funding

PHOENIX, AZ – From Phoenix to Tucson and across the state, a sea of red washed over schools on Wednesday morning as thousands of teachers, students, parents, and other supporters kept up their call for higher pay and more funding for education. Arizona teachers, among the lowest paid in the nation, are staging rallies as they contemplate whether it's time to consider a walkout.

On Wednesday, teachers and their supporters gathered outside of schools wearing red as part of the "Red for Ed" campaign. The teachers are looking for a 20 percent increase in pay and more money for education funding.

"Education cuts never heal," was one of the many signs held up at many locations. In a show of support, teachers at some charter schools – including San Tan Charter in Gilbert – staged rallies as well.

Even if Arizona teachers received a 20 percent hike, they would still make less than the nationwide average. Arizona teachers are part of a growing movement around the country that started with striking teachers in West Virginia and has spread to states including Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Alaska.

Many Arizona teachers work two or more jobs in addition to teaching so that they can pay the bills.

Gov. Ducey, who has offered an increase of 1 percent to the teachers, has been turning up the rhetoric. (Get Phoenix Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe).

On Monday, he said that he wouldn't meet with teachers but instead meet with what he said are "decision makers."

On Tuesday, he took a swipe at protesting teachers saying, "why would I want to sit down with someone who wants to play games?"

Those responses have drawn scorn from teachers and the leaders of Arizona Educators United who have been organizing the protests.

"Every day that he ignores our voices, he pushes us closer to a walk out," Arizona Educators United organizer Noah Karvelis tells Patch. "We need solutions."

One of those solutions will be "walk-ins" on Wednesday.

A "walk-in" is where the teachers carrying signs gather at a central point – often the school flagpole – where they are joined by students and parents and then "walk in" to the school together in a demonstration of unity.

Teachers are not only upset with their low pay – they are the lowest paid in the country – but also working conditions. Patch recently reported on teachers using decades old textbooks, having broken equipment, and teaching in rooms with holes in the ceiling and torn carpet.

Teachers also want education funding returned to the level it was ten years ago. The state legislature determined last year that, when adjusted for inflation, the state spends more than $900 per student less than it did in 2008.

Along with that, the teachers want a guarantee that the state will not cut taxes until per student spending reaches the national average. Currently, the state spends nearly $4,000 less per student than the national average of $11,392.

"We want to ensure students have access to highly qualified and experienced teachers, that educators are compensated fairly, and to improve the educational environment," Karvelis of Arizona Educators United said.

The question that Karvelis and his colleagues are considering is, "What's next?"

The answer that's been gaining traction is a walkout where teachers walk out for the day.

Arizona Educators United says that they are close to reaching their goal of 40,000 members. That's the number they feel that they need before staging a walkout.

A walkout could come as early as this week.

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Photos via Arizona Educators United.