Teachers Across Rochester Protest State Budget Cuts

Dozens of teachers from came together after school Tuesday to demonstrate in an attempt to raise awareness about what state funding cuts may mean to public education.  

It was all part of the "Day of Action in Defense of Kids," organized by the Michigan Education Association.

At , about 20 teachers gathered near the student pickup area. Holding signs criticizing Gov. Rick Snyder, demonstrators waved at the parents and students passing by. Several parents honked at the teachers during the short protest.

"Snyder's directly attacking the middle class," said science teacher Mark Hillbom. "I think that he's looking to take money from the schools, and he wants to take that money and put it in big business.

"He's totally anti-public education, without a doubt," Hillbom said.

Snyder's state budget proposal includes cuts to K-12 education; in Rochester, those cuts contribute to a . Snyder and other Republicans, such as state Rep. Tom McMillin, who represents Rochester and Rochester Hills, have defended the cuts as necessary to get the state back on track. McMillin, specifically, has called the cuts to schools a "belt-tightening."

Many teachers think otherwise.

At , Rochester Education Association President Doug Hill was among the crowd of about 25 teachers and staff members participating in the informal picketing.

School bus drivers and some parents honked their support while driving by the school pickup lane, where the gathering was held.

"Call Gov. Snyder ... stop the attack on our schools," one sign read.

At the schools, teachers handed out informational brochures to parents.

To read the brochure text, click .

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