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Parents take a stand for education

By John Larson

Parents of Tacoma Public Schools students are forming a local chapter of Stand For Children, a national organization based in Portland that advocates for increased funding for public education. They kicked off their campaign during a rally at Peace Community Center on Hilltop on April 26.

Matherine Green is vice president of the Parent Teacher Association at Jennie Reed Elementary School. When she moved here from the Bay Area five years ago, she felt the size of classes her two sons were in were appropriate. Class sizes have increased since then, according to Green, and she got involved with the organization to do something about it.

“Teachers should be given the tools they need to be effective,” she declared.

Stand For Children members have been successful in staving off budget cuts in Massachusetts and passing an education levy. Children cannot vote, so therefore adults must advocate on their behalf in the political process, Green told the audience. “Together we can prevent more devastating cuts to our schools.”

Joshua Smith has a five-year-old entering kindergarten in the fall and a newborn child. He fears large class sizes and inadequate pay will drive away good teachers. He called on concerned citizens to lobby the legislature to provide more funding for education.

“We are making a movement across Washington, starting right here in Tacoma.”

Tiffany Bolstad-Cox lived in Tacoma for most of her adult life. After moving to Portland two years ago she volunteered with Stand For Children, then was hired for a position on the staff. She got involved because she wants students of today to have subjects like music and physical education in their curriculum – topics sometimes put on the back burner due to budget cuts and test preparation.

“You can be the voice that makes the city and state put education first,” she remarked. “It will be life changing for all of you individually. It will also be life changing for the children of Tacoma.”

Organizers want to start three chapters, in the North End, Hilltop and South Tacoma. A meeting of the Hilltop group is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 6 at Peace Community Center, located at 2106 Cushman St. South Tacoma parents are meeting at 7 p.m. May 12 at Southeast Boys & Girls Club, located at 4910 S. Pine St. A time and location for the North End meeting has not been set.

Anyone seeking more information is encouraged to contact Cara Bilodeau at cara@stand.org or (253) 304-8924.

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