Oregon Public Broadcasting

Nearly five thousand education supporters, young and old, converged on the state capitol in Salem Monday for a rally organized by the group, Stand for Children. Participants called on state lawmakers to make education and children’s services a top budget priority.

Schools have already had to cut spending this year. As state revenues plummet, many fear more cuts are imminent.

Randy Reed, a school custodian in Toledo, made the trip to the Capitol with his family.  He says maintaining school funding is especially important in small towns like his.      Randy Reed: “The school really is the heartbeat of many small communities throughout Oregon.  As the schools shrink and get cut and cut it hurts the entire town.”        Speakers at the rally encouraged lawmakers to tap state reserves, take full advantage of the federal stimulus package, and boost the state’s corporate minimum tax to raise more revenue for public education.